Official Community Plan

The Official Community Plan is the overarching plan for Nanaimo for the next 25 years that provides direction for growth and change in the community.

What is an Official Community Plan?

In broad terms, an Official Community Plan (OCP) is a guide used by City Council and City staff for decision making on planning and land management issues. It provides direction related to elements such as the location and type of residential, commercial and industrial development; the availability of transportation choices and utility servicing; and environmental, social and economic issues.

While an Official Community Plan is “official” in that is an adopted bylaw by City Council, it is also a living document that may be amended from time to time to reflect changes in the community. To learn more about the most recent comprehensive review of the OCP, click here.

Nanaimo’s Official Community Plan: planNanaimo

On September 8, 2008 City Council adopted the Official Community Plan – planNanaimo, which replaces the former OCP adopted in 1996. The process reaffirmed strategies contained in planNanaimo 1996 and provided new strategies for meeting the many growth challenges the City continues to face.

Official Community Plan (PDF)
Map One: Future Land Use Plan (PDF)
Map Two: Mobility (PDF)
Map Three: Development Permit & Heritage Conservation Areas (PDF)

The OCP can also be viewed at the Service & Resource Centre at 411 Dunsmuir Street. Copies are available for purchase.