Whitby Official Plan Review

The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review to set policies that manage how Whitby should grow between now and 2051 - and we want to hear from you.

Project Updates

On February 03, 2025, Whitby Council adopted Final Recommended Official Plan Amendments for the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area, and for other Strategic Growth Areas, Nodes and Corridors. We thank everyone who provided feedback on these amendments that support increasing housing options and transit-supportive development in key growth areas across Whitby.

Approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now required.

Next Steps

Next steps for the Official Plan Review include determining proposed land uses for the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area.

The Review will also continue to focus on land use policy topics that have an impact across Whitby, such as planning for future employment uses, climate resiliency, transportation and parks.

Have your Say

Check back for future engagement opportunities coming later this spring.

Missed it the first time? Presentation videos, Community Open House materials, Background Summaries and Staff Reports, can all be found under the "Documents" and "Videos" sections of this page.

Looking to provide feedback right now? Email your written comments to the Official Plan Review Team at: officialplanreview@whitby.ca or speak to someone by calling 905-430-4306.

Stay Informed

Sign up for one or more of the Interested Party List(s)* to stay informed and receive important project notifications.

  1. General Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
  2. Brooklin Urban Expansion Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/06)

*By becoming an Interested Party, your name and address will become part of the public record and be subject to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Learn More

To learn more about the Official Plan Review, visit our Interactive Story Map and read the information provided below and in the FAQ section of this page.

What is an Official Plan?

The Town's Official Plan guides where and how land in our municipality should be used. More specifically, the Official Plan sets out:

  • where different types of development like housing, offices, shops, and roads will be located
  • where community uses like parks, trails, and schools will be needed, and
  • what should be protected, such as the natural environment, historic properties, and other special places, like Whitby’s waterfront and downtowns.

Land use planning in Ontario occurs in a “policy-led” system. Whitby's Official Plan is informed by the Ontario Planning Act, the Ontario Provincial Planning Statement and regional plans like Envision Durham.

Why are we reviewing the Whitby Official Plan now?

Whitby's population is forecasted to grow to approximately 240,000 by 2051. By 2031 alone, the Province of Ontario has mandated the Town to support the construction of 18,000 new homes in Whitby. This growth needs to be planned in a sustainable manner for today and future generations. Fortunately, Whitby already has a comprehensive Official Plan that was updated last in 2018.

This next review focues on updating key areas to plan for more housing and jobs, while also updating the existing Official Plan to align with recent changes made by both the Province. On January, 01, 2025, land use planning authority was removed from the Region of Durham. Through this change, Whitby has inherited Envision Durham and will be incorporating its relevant policies through the Official Plan Review.

What does the Official Plan Review include?

Building upon the 2018 Official Plan, this next review will focus on four key project areas:

  1. Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area
  2. Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, including along major transit routes
  3. Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area
  4. General Official Plan updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and incorporating relevant policies from Envision Durham

The Town of Whitby is undertaking its five-year Official Plan Review to set policies that manage how Whitby should grow between now and 2051 - and we want to hear from you.

Project Updates

On February 03, 2025, Whitby Council adopted Final Recommended Official Plan Amendments for the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area, and for other Strategic Growth Areas, Nodes and Corridors. We thank everyone who provided feedback on these amendments that support increasing housing options and transit-supportive development in key growth areas across Whitby.

Approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is now required.

Next Steps

Next steps for the Official Plan Review include determining proposed land uses for the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area.

The Review will also continue to focus on land use policy topics that have an impact across Whitby, such as planning for future employment uses, climate resiliency, transportation and parks.

Have your Say

Check back for future engagement opportunities coming later this spring.

Missed it the first time? Presentation videos, Community Open House materials, Background Summaries and Staff Reports, can all be found under the "Documents" and "Videos" sections of this page.

Looking to provide feedback right now? Email your written comments to the Official Plan Review Team at: officialplanreview@whitby.ca or speak to someone by calling 905-430-4306.

Stay Informed

Sign up for one or more of the Interested Party List(s)* to stay informed and receive important project notifications.

  1. General Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
  2. Brooklin Urban Expansion Area Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2024-W/06)

*By becoming an Interested Party, your name and address will become part of the public record and be subject to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Learn More

To learn more about the Official Plan Review, visit our Interactive Story Map and read the information provided below and in the FAQ section of this page.

What is an Official Plan?

The Town's Official Plan guides where and how land in our municipality should be used. More specifically, the Official Plan sets out:

  • where different types of development like housing, offices, shops, and roads will be located
  • where community uses like parks, trails, and schools will be needed, and
  • what should be protected, such as the natural environment, historic properties, and other special places, like Whitby’s waterfront and downtowns.

Land use planning in Ontario occurs in a “policy-led” system. Whitby's Official Plan is informed by the Ontario Planning Act, the Ontario Provincial Planning Statement and regional plans like Envision Durham.

Why are we reviewing the Whitby Official Plan now?

Whitby's population is forecasted to grow to approximately 240,000 by 2051. By 2031 alone, the Province of Ontario has mandated the Town to support the construction of 18,000 new homes in Whitby. This growth needs to be planned in a sustainable manner for today and future generations. Fortunately, Whitby already has a comprehensive Official Plan that was updated last in 2018.

This next review focues on updating key areas to plan for more housing and jobs, while also updating the existing Official Plan to align with recent changes made by both the Province. On January, 01, 2025, land use planning authority was removed from the Region of Durham. Through this change, Whitby has inherited Envision Durham and will be incorporating its relevant policies through the Official Plan Review.

What does the Official Plan Review include?

Building upon the 2018 Official Plan, this next review will focus on four key project areas:

  1. Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area
  2. Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, including along major transit routes
  3. Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area
  4. General Official Plan updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and incorporating relevant policies from Envision Durham
  • CLOSED: This survey has now concluded. Next engagement survey coming soon!

    Poll #1: Whitby Today and Tomorrow: What Matters to You?

    Welcome! This quick poll is designed for you to share your perspectives on what you think are the key priorities for Whitby in planning for growth and development over the next 30 years, as part of the Official Plan Review update. The poll will take approximately 5 minutes to complete.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Poll #2: Planning for Growth in Key Areas of Whitby

    Whitby's population is expected to grow from about 150,000 to 190,000 by 2031, and the Town has committed to a provincial housing target of building 18,000 new homes by 2031. The Town's population is then forecasted to grow to 244,000 by 2051 (as noted in Envision Durham – Regional Official Plan).

    Community engagement is an important part of how we plan for this future growth. Have your say on growth in Whitby in three identified areas. Survey closes September 13, 2024.

Page last updated: 24 Feb 2025, 11:37 AM