Official Community Plan

What is the Official Community Plan (OCP)?

The Summerland Official Community Plan is a document that guides the District’s decisions concerning planning and land use management in accordance with Chapter 1, Sections 471 – 478 of the Local Government Act. Specifically, the OCP provides:

• A clear vision for Summerland’s future growth with supporting goals, objectives and policies,
• A direction aligned with current community values and development patterns, and
• The anticipation of infrastructure capacity and future needs.

The OCP describes the community’s goals and long-term vision for the District of Summerland and is the principal plan that guides other municipal plans. Through policy, the OCP leads the District in making decisions related to how land is used for housing, transportation, parks, environmental protection, economic development, and more. Official Community Plans set a vision and shape how a municipality changes over time, including where housing, services, and amenities are best fit within our community.

What is different in the 2026 update of the Official Community Plan?

The District’s new OCP titled “Growing Forward 2046” provides a more simplified framework which makes it easier for residents, applicants, and staff to navigate and use. This update focused on streamlining the District’s former OCP, improving usability by consolidating policies, and incorporating changes required or necessitated by provincial housing legislation.

The outcomes of this project include:

• Updated context information, housing, and population projections
• Revised document structure (and approach to growth management)
• Adjusted Growth Boundary and six defined growth areas
• Updated land use designations and land use mapping
• New policies on infrastructure, quality of life, and sustainability
• Updates to the Development Permit Areas with a focus on the Multi-Unit Development Permit Area
• Identifying the Housing Needs requirements and designating land uses accordingly
• Terminology updates and mapping updates including the use of distinct colors

Official Community Plan - Schedule A

Schedule B - Urban Growth Boundary Map

Schedule C - Growth Areas Map

Schedule D - Land Use Map

Schedule E - Watercourse Development Permit Area Map

Schedule F - Hazard Development Permit Area Map

Schedule G - Environmental Development Permit Area Map

Schedule H - Wildfire Development Permit Area Map

Schedule I - Downtown Development Permit Area

Schedule J - Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) Map

Schedule K - Infrastructure Systems Map (Sewer)

Schedule L - Infrastructure Systems Map (Water)

Schedule M - Transportation Network Map (Roads)

Schedule N - Future Cycling Network Map

Schedule P - Future Trails Network Map