Urban Design | City of Owen Sound

The Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) provides direction on matters of provincial interest related to land use planning and development. The long term prosperity of Ontario depends on planning for strong, sustainable, and resilient communities.

The PPS applies to all decisions relating to a land use planning matter. The City's Official Plan is the most important vehicle for implementing the PPS. Comprehensive, integrated, and long term planning is best achieved through Official Plans.

Official Plan

Urban Design Guidelines

The City’s Urban Design Guidelines document is intended to provide urban design standards for the development and redevelopment of areas or properties within the City. This will be particularly important where we are seeing redevelopment and intensification within existing neighbourhoods. The urban design guidelines will apply citywide and will implement the intent of the Official Plan’s urban design policy direction through the following key focus areas:

General Guidelines for Land Uses (Residential, Commercial, Industrial)
Gateways and Nodes
Infill Development
Public Spaces
Site Plan Design Guidelines (Access and Parking, Amenity Areas, Landscaping)
Heritage and Culture

Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy

The Owen Sound Harbour & Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy is part of the Official Plan and provides guidance for improvement in the harbour and downtown area.

In 2000, the City undertook the creation of the master plan to integrate the redevelopment potential of the downtown and harbourfront with public infrastructure. The goal of the plan is to establish the right mix of activities, development, and infrastructure investment that will reinforce the strength of the downtown and harbour. The Owen Sound Harbour & Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy sets a positive direction to create a climate of redevelopment.

Street Furniture & Sidewalk Patio Design Guidelines

The Street Furniture & Sidewalk Patio Design Guidelines direct the appropriate design and furnishings for sidewalk patios and ensure the safety and accessibility of pedestrians.

The guidelines are a part of the Harbour and Downtown Urban Design/Master Plan Strategy.

To apply for a sidewalk patio, please submit a Sidewalk Patio Application to the Planning and Heritage Division.

Residential Tree Preservation Policy

The Residential Tree Preservation Policy provides guidelines for planting residential trees. The goals of the policy are:

To care for existing trees, woodlots and natural features;
To offer landscaping at the street line that does not conflict with neighbouring properties;
To even out steep banks with ground cover and trees;
To select plants that are ecologically sound;
To select plants able to survive all seasons;
Use native plant species; and
Avoid use of invasive plants.

Feel free to reference the Residential Tree Preservation Policy.

Need further information?

The Citizen's Guide to Land Use Planning are Provincial government publications providing a summary of the key aspects of land use planning. Explore the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing website for information on planning, local government, and housing.