Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw 1290.02, 2025

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The District of Tofino is proposing updates to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to integrate new housing needs data and to update growth projections based on the community’s limited raw water supply. These changes are required to maintain alignment with provincial legislation and ensure long-term planning reflects local infrastructure constraints.

Residents are invited to review the proposed amendments and learn more about why these changes are being considered.

Why the OCP Needs to Be Updated

Housing Needs Assessment Updates

Provincial legislation requires local governments to incorporate updated housing needs information into their Official Community Plans. To meet these requirements, the District proposes adding new content informed by the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Assessment (IHNA).

The OCP amendments include:

  • An assessment of current and projected housing unit needs over the next 5 and 20 years, based on Housing Needs Report (HNR) data.
  • A statement outlining the need for housing located near transportation options that support walking, bicycling, public transit, and other alternative modes of travel.
  • A description of actions taken by the District since the most recent Housing Needs Report to reduce housing needs in the community.

Growth Projection Update

The District is also proposing updates to growth-related language in the OCP. These changes reflect infrastructure limitations identified in the 2024 Water Master Plan, including the community’s limited raw water capacity.

By updating population and growth projections, the District can plan more responsibly for future development, infrastructure investments, and service delivery.

Future Land Use Update

To advance the reconciliation objectives outlined in the OCP, staff recommend adding a new Land Use Designation that identifies lands of interest to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

This new designation would recognize:

  • Reserve lands
  • Fee-simple properties owned by the Nation
  • Areas referenced in previous Incremental Treaty Agreements

Learn More

For full details on all proposed amendments, please refer to the supporting documents located on the right-hand side of this page.

The District of Tofino is proposing updates to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to integrate new housing needs data and to update growth projections based on the community’s limited raw water supply. These changes are required to maintain alignment with provincial legislation and ensure long-term planning reflects local infrastructure constraints.

Residents are invited to review the proposed amendments and learn more about why these changes are being considered.

Why the OCP Needs to Be Updated

Housing Needs Assessment Updates

Provincial legislation requires local governments to incorporate updated housing needs information into their Official Community Plans. To meet these requirements, the District proposes adding new content informed by the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Assessment (IHNA).

The OCP amendments include:

  • An assessment of current and projected housing unit needs over the next 5 and 20 years, based on Housing Needs Report (HNR) data.
  • A statement outlining the need for housing located near transportation options that support walking, bicycling, public transit, and other alternative modes of travel.
  • A description of actions taken by the District since the most recent Housing Needs Report to reduce housing needs in the community.

Growth Projection Update

The District is also proposing updates to growth-related language in the OCP. These changes reflect infrastructure limitations identified in the 2024 Water Master Plan, including the community’s limited raw water capacity.

By updating population and growth projections, the District can plan more responsibly for future development, infrastructure investments, and service delivery.

Future Land Use Update

To advance the reconciliation objectives outlined in the OCP, staff recommend adding a new Land Use Designation that identifies lands of interest to Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation.

This new designation would recognize:

  • Reserve lands
  • Fee-simple properties owned by the Nation
  • Areas referenced in previous Incremental Treaty Agreements

Learn More

For full details on all proposed amendments, please refer to the supporting documents located on the right-hand side of this page.

  • Watch: Public Hearing - March 17, 2026

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  • Notice of Public Hearing: March 17, 2026

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    Notice is hereby given that the District of Tofino Council will hold a Public Hearing in respect of "District of Tofino Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1290.02, 2025", pursuant to Section 464(1) of the Local Government Act.

    “District of Tofino Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw No. 1290.02, 2025" proposes updates to the Official Community Plan related to the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Assessment, new Provincial housing legislation, and growth management policies reflecting the District’s water‑limited capacity. This amendment bylaw received first reading on December 12, 2025, and second reading on February 24, 2026.

    Amendments include: updated 5‑ and 20‑year housing projections; policies supporting higher‑density housing in the Village Containment Area; growth management aligned with the 2024 Water Master Plan; a new Tla‑o‑qui‑aht Land Use Designation consistent with the available water for Tla‑o‑qui‑aht First Nations-led development; and related revisions to housing, land‑use, and infrastructure policies.

    All persons who believe they are affected by the proposed amendment will be given an opportunity to be heard at the Public Hearing, or may submit written comments to the District prior to the close of the hearing.

    Further information may be requested for inspection at the District of Tofino Municipal Office, 121 Third Street, Tofino, British Columbia, during regular business hours (9 AM - 12 PM & 1 - 4 PM), Monday to Friday, March 3 to March 17, 2026, excluding statutory holidays or by emailing planning@tofino.ca. Written support or opposition may be sent by mail to the District of Tofino, PO Box 9, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, or by email to jwelsh@tofino.ca by Monday, March 16, 2026, at 4 PM.

  • Report to Council: February 24, 2026

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    Council gave second reading to the Official Community Plan Amendment Bylaw related to updated housing needs data and growth projections. This amendment aligns the District’s Official Community Plan with current provincial requirements and updated local data. The changes help ensure future planning decisions reflect Tofino’s housing realities and projected growth.

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  • Report to Council: December 9, 2025

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    Council considered an amendment to the Official Community Plan that integrates data from the 2024 Interim Housing Needs Assessment and updates growth projections in light of Tofino’s limited raw water capacity, ensuring the OCP aligns with provincial housing legislation and links future growth to water and servicing constraints. Council carried the recommendation to give the bylaw first reading and passed an additional motion directing staff to revisit statistics referenced around daily visitation.

    Watch the Presentation