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

Brooklin Urban Expansion Area - Preliminary Preferred Land Use Plan: We are pleased to share the Background Report on the Preliminary Preferred Land Use Plan for the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area to 2051 as identified in Envision Durham. The Preferred Plan is based on community feedback and an evaluation of the two land use alternatives presented at the November 27 Community Open House. Feedback on the Preferred Plan will inform a future draft proposed amendment to be presented later this year at a Statutory Public Meeting (timing to be announced).

General Policy Updates to Prepare for Growth to 2051: Thank you to those who participated in our Community Open House on April 23. Key land use policy topics were discussed, such as planning for future employment uses, environmental management and transportation, among others, to conform to Provincial legislation and policy, and to incorporate relevant policies from Envision Durham. Learn more below.

Couldn't attend? Community Open House presentation videos, meeting materials, Background Summaries and Staff Reports, can all be found under the "Videos" and "Documents" sections of this page.

Looking to provide feedback? 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 Policy Updates 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 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.

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

Brooklin Urban Expansion Area - Preliminary Preferred Land Use Plan: We are pleased to share the Background Report on the Preliminary Preferred Land Use Plan for the new Brooklin Urban Expansion Area to 2051 as identified in Envision Durham. The Preferred Plan is based on community feedback and an evaluation of the two land use alternatives presented at the November 27 Community Open House. Feedback on the Preferred Plan will inform a future draft proposed amendment to be presented later this year at a Statutory Public Meeting (timing to be announced).

General Policy Updates to Prepare for Growth to 2051: Thank you to those who participated in our Community Open House on April 23. Key land use policy topics were discussed, such as planning for future employment uses, environmental management and transportation, among others, to conform to Provincial legislation and policy, and to incorporate relevant policies from Envision Durham. Learn more below.

Couldn't attend? Community Open House presentation videos, meeting materials, Background Summaries and Staff Reports, can all be found under the "Videos" and "Documents" sections of this page.

Looking to provide feedback? 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 Policy Updates 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 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.

  • 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: 20 May 2025, 10:25 AM