Vancouver Official Development Plan

About the Vancouver ODP

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  ODP details

  The Vancouver ODP includes all the content of the Vancouver Plan, adding only the necessary information to meet provincial legislation and other required updates.

  The Vancouver ODP does not directly serve as a rezoning policy. It will be adopted by by-law and provide guidance for Council decisions on rezoning applications, infrastructure investments, and other development matters that must align with the ODP.

  The plan offers high-level guidance through a Generalized Land Use plan, which reflects the zoning policies established through Council-adopted area plans.

  Vancouver’s existing ODPs

  By June 30, 2030, the city is mandated under the provincial legislation Bill 18 External website, opens in new tab to consolidate our existing ODPs into a single city-wide ODP. This integration aims to streamline and unify Vancouver’s land use policy.

  Public hearing modifications

  Bill 18 adjusts the public hearing process for developments that align with the ODP. Specifically, for rezonings that are consistent with the ODP, it prohibits public hearings for projects where housing comprises at least half of the floor area, promoting faster approvals and more straightforward development processes.

  Learn more about provincial housing legislation related to bill 18

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  How the ODP will work

  As a policy document adopted by by-law, the ODP will outline a unified vision for how the city will grow and develop for the next 20 to 30 years and beyond.

  All bylaws enacted or works undertaken must be consistent with the plan. The policies contained in the ODP will be implemented over time through: 

  • Area plans
  • Rezoning policies
  • Zoning and Development By-law

  The document gives a high-level summary of existing zoning and rezoning policies, indicating where there’s Council-approved rezoning policy, although it will not have the required detail to guide a rezoning.

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  Reviews and updates

  The ODP will be reviewed every 5 years alongside the Housing Needs Report. It will be updated as needed to stay current and effective.

  The first version must be adopted by June 2026. A second version will integrate existing ODPs by June 2030. 

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  Addressing future needs

  The Vancouver ODP will be a comprehensive guide and unified vision for how the city will grow and develop over time. It will provide a high-level understanding of the land use and development potential across the city.

  The ODP must identify areas for homes to meet anticipated housing needs for the next 20 years.

  It must also include policies and identify areas for:

  • Commercial
  • Industrial
  • Institutional
  • Agricultural
  • Recreational
  • Public utility
  • Public facilities (for example schools)
  • Roads
  • Sewer and water systems
  • Hazardous or environmentally sensitive areas
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  Public engagement

  Vancouver Plan: Summary of past engagements

  The Vancouver Plan had 4 extensive phases of public engagement.

  They covered many topics, including:

  • Land use
  • Housing
  • Economy
  • Ecology
  • Arts
  • Culture
  • Climate
  • Transportation

  Key priorities identified

  The engagement processes highlighted 3 key priorities:

  • Equitable housing and complete neighborhoods
  • An economy that works for all
  • Climate protection and restored ecosystems

  These themes remain central to the Vancouver ODP.

  Current engagement priorities for the ODP

  We are currently focusing consultation on the outstanding technical and administrative content required for the ODP.

  We will be engaging on this new content with First Nations, regional, provincial, and federal governments, boards and agencies, and others as required by provincial legislation.  

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  Key planning terms

  Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy: Metro 2050 

  Metro 2050: Regional Growth Strategy External website, opens in new tab was adopted on February 24, 2023.

  The strategy outlines a vision for managing housing, job growth, and population across the Metro Vancouver region over the next 30 years. It sets out strategies for sustainable growth that all municipal plans, including Vancouver's, need to align with.

  Vancouver Official Development Plan (ODP)

  The Vancouver ODP outlines long-term policies for city-wide land use and development over the next 20 to 30 years and beyond, making sure that Vancouver’s development aligns with the goals of Metro 2050.

  The ODP incorporates the Regional Context Statement, which connects Vancouver's land use plans and policies to the wider goals of Metro 2050: Regional Growth Strategy. 

  Area and community plans

  These plans provide detailed direction on future land use, development, and building form at the local level, advancing the broader regional goals set by Metro 2050 and reflected in the Vancouver ODP.

  Zoning and guidelines

  Zoning regulates development based on policy directions set out by higher-level documents such as the Vancouver ODP and area and community plans. Guidelines provide guidance for meeting our objectives and standards.

  Development and building permits

  These permits provide the highest level of regulatory compliance. They make sure that all development adheres to the specific regulations in the Zoning and Development By-law. This alignment supports the overarching strategies of Metro 2050.