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. We want to hear from you!
Have your Say
Whitby Official Plan Review (File: OPA-2023-W/02) – Below are Draft Proposed Official Plan Amendments #146 and #147 regarding general policy updates to prepare for growth to 2051.
The purpose of Draft OPAs #146 and #147 is to: make general policy (text) and schedule (map) updates to Part I of the Official Plan for consistency and conformity with Provincial legislation and policy; to incorporate the relevant policies of Envision Durham; to streamline and improve the overall Official Plan to prepare for population and job growth in a sustainable manner to 2051; and, provide technical updates to all relevant Part II Secondary Plans.
- Draft Proposed OPA #146 – General Amendments to Part 1 of the Town Whitby Official Plan
- Draft Proposed OPA #147 – Amendments to Part 2 – Secondary Plans
Brooklin Community Secondary Plan (File: OPA-2024-W/06) – Below is Draft Proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) #148 to the Town of Whitby Official Plan regarding updates to the Brooklin Community Secondary Plan and urban expansion areas.
The purpose of OPA #148 is to: update the Secondary Plan for the existing Brooklin community; introduce urban land use designations for the new 2051 Brooklin urban expansion areas west and east of the existing Brooklin community, including both residential/commercial areas, as well as employment uses adjacent to Highway 407; and, amend Part 1 of the parent Official Plan accordingly.
Statutory Public Meeting
A Statutory Public Meeting will be held on October 1, 2025 regarding the Draft Proposed OPAs seeking input from the public.
- Notice of Public Meeting: October 1, 2025 – Draft Proposed OPA #146 General Amendments to Part 1 of the Town Whitby Official Plan
- Notice of Public Meeting: October 1, 2025 – Draft Proposed OPA #147 Amendments to Part 2 – Secondary Plans
- Notice of Public Meeting: October 1, 2025 – Draft Proposed OPA #148 Brooklin Community Secondary Plan
Need additional information?
Meeting materials, staff reports, Draft Proposed OPAs, background reports, etc. can all be found under the "Documents" sections of this page.
Looking to provide feedback?
Email your written comments to the Official Plan Review Team at: officialplanreview@whitby.ca or please 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.
- General Policy Updates Official Plan Review Interested Party Form (File number: OPA-2023-W/02)
- 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 does the Official Plan Review include?
Building upon the previous comprehensive review of the Official Plan in 2018, this review involves four key focus areas for updates:
Completed and awaiting approval from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs:
Focus Area 1) Increasing the housing supply in the Whitby GO Protected Major Transit Station Area.
Focus Area 2) Increasing the housing supply in Strategic Growth Areas, Nodes and Corridors along major transit routes.
In Progress
Focus Area 3) Planning for more homes and jobs in the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area.
Focus Area 4) General Policy Updates, as required by Provincial legislation and policy, and incorporating relevant policies from Envision Durham to prepare for growth to 2051.
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.