Planning Policy & Urban Design

The purpose of the plan is to provide policies, goals and objectives to guide the development, growth, and redevelopment of Owen Sound for the next 25 years. Our Official Plan was adopted in 2022 after completion of a comprehensive review process. It is Council's contract with the community about how development will be considered and evaluated and provides a guide for physical growth within the context of social, economic and environmental matters, and is detailed in the following documents:

• Official Plan - Consolidated (updated February 2022)
• Official Plan - Schedule A - Land Use
• Official Plan - Schedule A1 - East Bluffs Planning Area
• Official Plan - Schedule A2 - Sydenham Heights Planning Area
• Official Plan - Schedule A3 - West Harbour Planning Area
• Official Plan - Schedule A4 - East Harbour Planning Area
• Official Plan - Schedule B - Planning and Study Areas
• Official Plan - Schedule C - Transportation
• Official Plan - Schedule D - Active Transportation and Trails Master Plan Model
• Official Plan - Schedule E - Additional Information & Supporting Studies
• Official Plan - Appendix A - Transportation Cross Sections

The Planning Act requires that municipalities conduct a review of their Official Plan every 10 years, and the City of Owen Sound has initiated the current review in order to meet this requirement. For more information, please visit the Official Plan Update page.

A Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is a tool that allows municipal planners and economic developers to work together to create policies and provide incentives targeting specific types of growth and investment.

A CIP for the City of Owen Sound has been prepared to serve as a long-term strategy to revitalize the community.

The entirety of the City is designated as a Community Improvement Project Area. In addition, Council has identified the City's downtown and harbour area as a Community Improvement Project Sub-area.

The CIP has five financial incentive programs that provide capital grant funding to eligible property owners and authorized tenants of land and buildings each year:

1. Façade & Structural Improvement Grant Program
2. Accessibility Improvement Grant Program
3. Start-up Space Leasehold Improvement Grant Program
4. Landscaping & Property Improvement Grant Program
5. Vacant Building Conversion & Expansion Grant Program

All CIP programs are subject to City budget allocation. 

Read our General Application Guidelines for more information.

The Grant Program Application Form is used to apply for any of the programs listed above.

The Retail & Commercial Policy Review assessed retail and commercial policies, current trends, and the goals and objectives of the City (particularly in supporting the vibrancy of the downtown) and provides policy recommendations to be considered in the City's upcoming Official Plan review.

A portion of this project included a review of the current Policy Framework and site specific zoning provisions and recent planning applications associated with commercial development, as well as expansions/changes in the context of the local market.

Public input was received through an online survey and a stakeholder working session as well as Committee review. This input was used to inform final policy recommendations to be further considered by the City. Updates to Official Plan policies will be further considered through the five-year review process and a separate public input opportunity.

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.

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.

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.

Draft Site Alteration By-law

The City is exploring the concept of regulating site alteration on private property, which is proposed prior to or outside of the standard development approvals process. Site alteration can include things such as changes to site grades, placement of fill, and removal of trees. Most municipalities across the province have a Site Alteration By-law in force, especially those that are subject to moderate to high development pressure. Regulating site alteration will contribute to the City’s vision of enhancing our resiliency and capacity for mitigating and adapting to the impact of climate change and of being a modern and efficient municipal government that makes citizen’s lives better every day. 

The City’s Community Services Committee considered an introduction to the concept of site alteration regulation through a Technical Report (CS-21-084) at its meeting on July 7, 2021. This report and the meeting minutes can be found on the City’s Council and Committees webpage at: www.owensound.ca/meetings

The proposed Site Alteration will be considered by City Council through the Operations Advisory Committee and Community Services Committee after comments have been received and considered in a staff recommendation report.

Additional information can also be obtained at City Hall, 808 2^nd Avenue East, from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Friday. Comments are requested on or before May 20, 2022. Comments and questions can be directed to the City’s Development Team through the Planning Division via phone 519-376-4440 ext. 1232 or email planning@owensound.ca.

Draft Site Alteration By-law and Schedules

Draft Site Alteration By-law No. 2022-027 

Schedule A - Minimum Site Alteration Standards

Schedule B - Site Alteration Plan Requirements 

Schedule C - Fill Management Plan Standards 

Schedule D - Tree Inventory and Preservation Study Standards 

Schedule E - Tree Replacement Requirements 

Schedule F - Nuisance Tree List