FAQs

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a document that sets out the high-level vision and policies for our community. The OCP is the primary tool that guides the future development of the community and serves as the foundation for all policies, regulations, and decisions about land use and development. It is a bylaw, and there are several legal and procedural requirements for how the OCP is written and updated.

In conjunction with other plans and bylaws, the OCP is used as a guiding policy document for development in Tofino.

Municipalities in British Columbia have the authority to adopt an Official Community Plan through the Local Government Act. Legislation identifies the necessary components of these Plans, and establishes adoption procedures.

The current OCP was updated in May 2013 after an extensive public engagement process. The OCP Implementation and Monitoring Committee directed the update process.

Beginning in 2018, the District of Tofino began a review of the OCP, with particular focus on the areas of Cox Bay and Industrial Way. Over the coming months, there will be multiple opportunities for the public to learn more and provide feedback. Stay tuned to District of Tofino communications channels (email list, website, social media).

All municipalities are expected to create and regularly update an OCP that reflects the community’s values and provides direction for meeting anticipated needs. The authority and requirements for an OCP can be found in Part 14, Division 4 of the Local Government Act which states that an OCP must include statements and map designations for the following:

• the approximate location, amount, type and density of residential development required to meet anticipated housing needs over a period of at least 5 years;
• the approximate location, amount and type of present and proposed commercial, industrial, institutional, agricultural, recreational and public utility land uses;
• the approximate location and area of sand and gravel deposits that are suitable for future sand and gravel extraction;
• restrictions on the use of land that is subject to hazardous conditions or that is environmentally sensitive to development;
• the approximate location and phasing of any major road, sewer and water systems;
• the approximate location and type of present and proposed public facilities, including schools, parks and waste treatment and disposal sites;
• other matters that may, in respect of any plan, be required or authorized by the minister.

OCP’s must also include housing policies of the local government respecting affordable housing, rental housing and special needs housing and consider the most recent housing needs report undertaken by the municipality. Other musts include targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and policies and actions to achieve those targets.

An OCP may also include policies related to a community’s social needs and protection of the natural environment.

From time to time, Council will consider amendments to the OCP Bylaw which may result in changes to this document. Users of this document will need to assume responsibility for making the necessary inquiries regarding these changes.

For more information, contact the Community Sustainability Department.