Official Plan

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Final Draft Official Plan Available for Public Review

A new version of the Draft Bruce County Official Plan is now available for public review and comment. This is the final version of the plan prior to public open houses and a public meeting.

The draft is available here and under the Documents section in right side panel. Draft Schedules are available in the Documents section in the right side panel.

This update incorporates changes arising from Public, Municipal, First Nations, and Provincial comments on the first Draft Official Plan.

Schedules are available in the side bar documents panel.

There remain opportunities for changes to the plan, which may be directed by County Council before or after the public meeting, or by the province which is the approval authority for the plan adopted by County Council.

You are invited to review the draft policies and schedules for the updated draft new Bruce County Official Plan and to provide comments.

You can also submit comments in writing to planthebruce@brucecounty.on.ca


Open Houses and Public Meeting for the Draft New Bruce County Official Plan.

Drop in to an Open House!

The purpose of the open houses is to help you learn more about draft policies and schedules (maps) proposed for the new Official Plan. Planners will be available to answer your questions.

Lion’s Head: Monday May 25, 4:30 p.m. - 7p.m at the Friendship Centre, 6 Tackabury St.

Port Elgin: Tuesday May 26, 4:30 p.m. - 7p.m. at the Plex, Rotary Hall A, 600 Tomlinson Dr

Walkerton: Wednesday May 27, 5:30 p.m. - 8p.m. at Bruce County Council Chambers, 30 Park St.

Attend the Public Meeting:

June 18, 2026 at 9:30a.m. in the Bruce County Council Chambers at 30 Park St., Walkerton


Compare The Proposed Draft New Official Plan Maps to the Current In-Force Official Plan Maps


An updated interactive "slider" map that allows comparison between the current in-force Plan and new mapping is available now by clicking here.

Have More Questions?

Our team would be happy to connect with you!

Email us at planthebruce@brucecounty.on.ca.

You can also book a one-on-one meeting with a Plan the Bruce team member here.

Planning for Bruce County's Growth

Bruce County is growing. Our population is expected to achieve a population of 93, 600 and employment of 43,000 jobs by the year 2046, and we want your ideas on how and where to grow! We are currently reviewing the Official Plan, a key document that guides long-term growth and development in the County to 2046. It considers our unique, local needs and guides how we will work towards a vision for our future.

The Official Plan touches your everyday life – the businesses you work in, the places you shop, the type of house live in, the roads you use every day, and how our communities grow.


Previous Status Updates

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan – April 2026

On April 23, 2026 County Council directed staff to circulate the final draft of the New Bruce County Official Plan to the province. The final draft incorporates changes to the December 4th draft received from engagement with the Province, local municipalities, the public and Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan – January 2026

On December 4, 2025 County Council directed staff to circulate the plan to the province, for public engagement, and schedule an open house and public meeting.

The plan has been forwarded to the province, together with updated schedules that address errors in those posted with the County Council Agenda.

Pursuant to the Planning Act, An open house and public meeting for the new plan cannot be scheduled until the province has had a copy of the current plan for at least 90 days.

The Open House and Public meeting will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan - September 2025

Work continues on the draft new Bruce County Official Plan. The County has recently received comments from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Staff are currently reviewing those comments and making updates to the draft plan. Consultations have been ongoing with local municipalities, the public and agencies like Conservation Authorities.

Planning staff intend to bring an update report to Bruce County Council on September 18, 2025.

Update on Growth Management Amendment – August 23, 2024

The Minister of Municipal Affairs has approved the County’s Growth Management Amendment with one modification, developed in consultation with County staff, to align the policies with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024. The growth management amendment is incorporated in the draft new Official Plan.

Update on Implementation Amendment - April 4, 2024

Following a public meeting held on December 7, 2023, the Implementation Amendment to the current Official Plan was adopted. This amendment refines local land use processes, enhances the usability of the plan, simplifies language and improves policy effectiveness.

Key changes include:

  • Enabling use of planning tools like Community Planning Permit Systems.
  • Integration of Provincial policy and legislation references.
  • Allowing Local Official Plans to cite the County's Official Plan.

Sections 6 and 7, and some parts of Section 4 of the current Official Plan have been changed with the adoption of the Implementation Amendment. Visit Plans, By-laws, Resources and FAQs to learn more about the Implementation Amendment.

A consolidated version of the current Official Plan, reflecting the changes that came into effect with the Implementation Amendment, is available here.

Update - June 29, 2023
The way we work as community planners is changing, as we adapt to provincially-driven changes to the Land Use Planning system:

  • On April 6, 2023, the Ontario government proposed:
    • A new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) to replace the current Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan.
    • Changes to the Planning Act with the introduction of Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023.
  • On October 25, 2022, the Ontario government introduced sweeping legislation with Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

The Province indicated they intend to implement the new Provincial Planning Statement in fall of 2023.

As the Bruce County Official Plan must conform to the Provincial Policy / Planning Statement, which is currently being amended, our work to update our Official Plan has been impacted.

We are continuing to draft new policies and mapping where there are minimal changes; where there is more uncertainty, we’re seeking to understand how potential changes may impact policy in the new Bruce County Official Plan.

Phase 2 - Complete

Growth Management Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

This amendment focused on population and employment growth that is expected to occur between now and 2046. This amendment to the current Bruce County Official Plan broadly covers how much growth is expected in the County and its local Municipalities. Establishing a growth management strategy enables local municipalities to initiate planning projects to address the anticipated growth.

The public meeting was held on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

County of Bruce Council passed By-law 2022-092 on October 20, 2022, being a By-law to Adopt Part One of Amendment Number C-2022-012 to the County of Bruce Official Plan. The amendment is subject to final approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Review the Notice of Adoption.

A decision was made by the Council for the Corporation of the County of Bruce on October 20, 2022 to approve By-Law 2022-093, being a By-law to Adopt Part Two of Amendment Number C-2022-012 to the County of Bruce Official Plan. Review the Notice of Decision. This amendment is now in effect.

Additional Residential Units Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

After a public meeting on July 15, 2021, the Planning and Development Committee approved a change to the County Official Plan that establishes a more flexible framework to reduce barriers to creating and permitting Additional Residential Units in detached buildings. The amendment reflects the outcome of comments received through the Plan the Bruce: Homes project and discussions with both the Province and local Municipalities. Creating Additional Residential Units directly increases the supply and mix of homes, particularly units available for rental purposes. Adding rental units will also help ease a current constraint on business growth. Natural legacy considerations are addressed through limiting opportunities for additional residential units in ‘Rural Recreation’ areas associated with shorelines and natural settings.

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Agriculture Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

On April 7, 2022, the Planning & Development Committee approved the County Official Plan Amendment – C-2021-025 Agriculture Amendment. The Committee expressed interest in advancing agriculture policy changes in the near-term to support planning objectives while not detracting from the work to advance the larger project to develop a new County Official Plan. In accordance with this direction, the Official Plan Amendment eliminates restriction of two parcels from original crown lot for surplus farm residence severances, minor lot boundary adjustments that do not result in the creation of a new parcel or increase development potential, and lot re-configurations that meet the minimum lot area requirements.

The Amendment also recognizes the existing lot area of retained parcels following a surplus farm residence severance, incorporate additional wording to better guide applicants who wish to create a new farm lot that is less than the 40-hectare (99 acre) minimum, expand and clarify the permitted uses on farms to add flexibility and better reflect the range of uses allowed in the Provincial Policy Statement and related provincial implementation guidelines, and incorporate other related minor amendments for clarity or housekeeping.

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan to Update Policy on Community Improvement Plans (CIPs)

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Phase 1 - Complete

Learn more about the Bruce GPS visioning project.

Completed eight community-driven and planning-focused guiding principles, which will all work together to execute the vision of the new Official Plan for Bruce County. Agriculture, Homes, Natural Legacy, Good Growth, Heritage, Connecting, Communities and Business.

Review recommended policy direction from the eight Guiding Principles, which will all work together to execute the vision of the new Official Plan for Bruce County.

A New Official Plan for Bruce County

The new Official Plan is a land use planning document that will guide land use and development in Bruce County to the year 2046. The plan was developed to reflect both local priorities identified through public engagement and provincial land use planning requirements.

The new Official Plan builds on guiding principles for Agriculture, Business, Connections, Communities, Good Growth, Heritage, Homes, Natural Legacy, and Indigenous Reconciliation and applies to all lands within Bruce County.

The new Official Plan is designed to support complete communities in a thriving region.

Reports to Council

Below are a series of reports provided to Bruce County Council on the new Official Plan.

About Plan the Bruce

Plan the Bruce is a land use project to inform the new Official Plan — the roadmap for growth and development to the year 2046.

This is a major project that will have a lasting impact on how Bruce County will be shaped in the future.

Final Draft Official Plan Available for Public Review

A new version of the Draft Bruce County Official Plan is now available for public review and comment. This is the final version of the plan prior to public open houses and a public meeting.

The draft is available here and under the Documents section in right side panel. Draft Schedules are available in the Documents section in the right side panel.

This update incorporates changes arising from Public, Municipal, First Nations, and Provincial comments on the first Draft Official Plan.

Schedules are available in the side bar documents panel.

There remain opportunities for changes to the plan, which may be directed by County Council before or after the public meeting, or by the province which is the approval authority for the plan adopted by County Council.

You are invited to review the draft policies and schedules for the updated draft new Bruce County Official Plan and to provide comments.

You can also submit comments in writing to planthebruce@brucecounty.on.ca


Open Houses and Public Meeting for the Draft New Bruce County Official Plan.

Drop in to an Open House!

The purpose of the open houses is to help you learn more about draft policies and schedules (maps) proposed for the new Official Plan. Planners will be available to answer your questions.

Lion’s Head: Monday May 25, 4:30 p.m. - 7p.m at the Friendship Centre, 6 Tackabury St.

Port Elgin: Tuesday May 26, 4:30 p.m. - 7p.m. at the Plex, Rotary Hall A, 600 Tomlinson Dr

Walkerton: Wednesday May 27, 5:30 p.m. - 8p.m. at Bruce County Council Chambers, 30 Park St.

Attend the Public Meeting:

June 18, 2026 at 9:30a.m. in the Bruce County Council Chambers at 30 Park St., Walkerton


Compare The Proposed Draft New Official Plan Maps to the Current In-Force Official Plan Maps


An updated interactive "slider" map that allows comparison between the current in-force Plan and new mapping is available now by clicking here.

Have More Questions?

Our team would be happy to connect with you!

Email us at planthebruce@brucecounty.on.ca.

You can also book a one-on-one meeting with a Plan the Bruce team member here.

Planning for Bruce County's Growth

Bruce County is growing. Our population is expected to achieve a population of 93, 600 and employment of 43,000 jobs by the year 2046, and we want your ideas on how and where to grow! We are currently reviewing the Official Plan, a key document that guides long-term growth and development in the County to 2046. It considers our unique, local needs and guides how we will work towards a vision for our future.

The Official Plan touches your everyday life – the businesses you work in, the places you shop, the type of house live in, the roads you use every day, and how our communities grow.


Previous Status Updates

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan – April 2026

On April 23, 2026 County Council directed staff to circulate the final draft of the New Bruce County Official Plan to the province. The final draft incorporates changes to the December 4th draft received from engagement with the Province, local municipalities, the public and Saugeen Ojibway Nation.

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan – January 2026

On December 4, 2025 County Council directed staff to circulate the plan to the province, for public engagement, and schedule an open house and public meeting.

The plan has been forwarded to the province, together with updated schedules that address errors in those posted with the County Council Agenda.

Pursuant to the Planning Act, An open house and public meeting for the new plan cannot be scheduled until the province has had a copy of the current plan for at least 90 days.

The Open House and Public meeting will be scheduled at the earliest opportunity.

Status Update Draft New Bruce County Official Plan - September 2025

Work continues on the draft new Bruce County Official Plan. The County has recently received comments from the Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Staff are currently reviewing those comments and making updates to the draft plan. Consultations have been ongoing with local municipalities, the public and agencies like Conservation Authorities.

Planning staff intend to bring an update report to Bruce County Council on September 18, 2025.

Update on Growth Management Amendment – August 23, 2024

The Minister of Municipal Affairs has approved the County’s Growth Management Amendment with one modification, developed in consultation with County staff, to align the policies with the Provincial Planning Statement 2024. The growth management amendment is incorporated in the draft new Official Plan.

Update on Implementation Amendment - April 4, 2024

Following a public meeting held on December 7, 2023, the Implementation Amendment to the current Official Plan was adopted. This amendment refines local land use processes, enhances the usability of the plan, simplifies language and improves policy effectiveness.

Key changes include:

  • Enabling use of planning tools like Community Planning Permit Systems.
  • Integration of Provincial policy and legislation references.
  • Allowing Local Official Plans to cite the County's Official Plan.

Sections 6 and 7, and some parts of Section 4 of the current Official Plan have been changed with the adoption of the Implementation Amendment. Visit Plans, By-laws, Resources and FAQs to learn more about the Implementation Amendment.

A consolidated version of the current Official Plan, reflecting the changes that came into effect with the Implementation Amendment, is available here.

Update - June 29, 2023
The way we work as community planners is changing, as we adapt to provincially-driven changes to the Land Use Planning system:

  • On April 6, 2023, the Ontario government proposed:
    • A new Provincial Planning Statement (PPS) to replace the current Provincial Policy Statement and the Growth Plan.
    • Changes to the Planning Act with the introduction of Bill 97, the Helping Homebuyers, Protecting Tenants Act, 2023.
  • On October 25, 2022, the Ontario government introduced sweeping legislation with Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022.

The Province indicated they intend to implement the new Provincial Planning Statement in fall of 2023.

As the Bruce County Official Plan must conform to the Provincial Policy / Planning Statement, which is currently being amended, our work to update our Official Plan has been impacted.

We are continuing to draft new policies and mapping where there are minimal changes; where there is more uncertainty, we’re seeking to understand how potential changes may impact policy in the new Bruce County Official Plan.

Phase 2 - Complete

Growth Management Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

This amendment focused on population and employment growth that is expected to occur between now and 2046. This amendment to the current Bruce County Official Plan broadly covers how much growth is expected in the County and its local Municipalities. Establishing a growth management strategy enables local municipalities to initiate planning projects to address the anticipated growth.

The public meeting was held on Thursday, October 6, 2022. Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

County of Bruce Council passed By-law 2022-092 on October 20, 2022, being a By-law to Adopt Part One of Amendment Number C-2022-012 to the County of Bruce Official Plan. The amendment is subject to final approval by the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Review the Notice of Adoption.

A decision was made by the Council for the Corporation of the County of Bruce on October 20, 2022 to approve By-Law 2022-093, being a By-law to Adopt Part Two of Amendment Number C-2022-012 to the County of Bruce Official Plan. Review the Notice of Decision. This amendment is now in effect.

Additional Residential Units Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

After a public meeting on July 15, 2021, the Planning and Development Committee approved a change to the County Official Plan that establishes a more flexible framework to reduce barriers to creating and permitting Additional Residential Units in detached buildings. The amendment reflects the outcome of comments received through the Plan the Bruce: Homes project and discussions with both the Province and local Municipalities. Creating Additional Residential Units directly increases the supply and mix of homes, particularly units available for rental purposes. Adding rental units will also help ease a current constraint on business growth. Natural legacy considerations are addressed through limiting opportunities for additional residential units in ‘Rural Recreation’ areas associated with shorelines and natural settings.

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Agriculture Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan

On April 7, 2022, the Planning & Development Committee approved the County Official Plan Amendment – C-2021-025 Agriculture Amendment. The Committee expressed interest in advancing agriculture policy changes in the near-term to support planning objectives while not detracting from the work to advance the larger project to develop a new County Official Plan. In accordance with this direction, the Official Plan Amendment eliminates restriction of two parcels from original crown lot for surplus farm residence severances, minor lot boundary adjustments that do not result in the creation of a new parcel or increase development potential, and lot re-configurations that meet the minimum lot area requirements.

The Amendment also recognizes the existing lot area of retained parcels following a surplus farm residence severance, incorporate additional wording to better guide applicants who wish to create a new farm lot that is less than the 40-hectare (99 acre) minimum, expand and clarify the permitted uses on farms to add flexibility and better reflect the range of uses allowed in the Provincial Policy Statement and related provincial implementation guidelines, and incorporate other related minor amendments for clarity or housekeeping.

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Amendment to Existing Bruce County Official Plan to Update Policy on Community Improvement Plans (CIPs)

Review the meeting video recording and supporting documents.

Phase 1 - Complete

Learn more about the Bruce GPS visioning project.

Completed eight community-driven and planning-focused guiding principles, which will all work together to execute the vision of the new Official Plan for Bruce County. Agriculture, Homes, Natural Legacy, Good Growth, Heritage, Connecting, Communities and Business.

Review recommended policy direction from the eight Guiding Principles, which will all work together to execute the vision of the new Official Plan for Bruce County.

A New Official Plan for Bruce County

The new Official Plan is a land use planning document that will guide land use and development in Bruce County to the year 2046. The plan was developed to reflect both local priorities identified through public engagement and provincial land use planning requirements.

The new Official Plan builds on guiding principles for Agriculture, Business, Connections, Communities, Good Growth, Heritage, Homes, Natural Legacy, and Indigenous Reconciliation and applies to all lands within Bruce County.

The new Official Plan is designed to support complete communities in a thriving region.

Reports to Council

Below are a series of reports provided to Bruce County Council on the new Official Plan.

About Plan the Bruce

Plan the Bruce is a land use project to inform the new Official Plan — the roadmap for growth and development to the year 2046.

This is a major project that will have a lasting impact on how Bruce County will be shaped in the future.

Page last updated: 21 May 2026, 04:13 PM