Policy Planning

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Official Plan consolidation includes the Official Plan as  approved by the Town on September 2000 and as amended by Official Plan amendments over time. This Office Consolidation only reflects amendments that have come into force and effect as of the date of this Consolidation. The Town is currecntly undertaking a review and update to the Official Plan. 

Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2010-001-ZO was passed by Town Council on March 2, 2010 and subsequently approved by the Ontario Municipal Board by Order dated January 13, 2011.  This Office Consolidation only reflects amendments that have come into force and effect as of the date of this Consolidation.

Provincial Policies

If you are planning to develop properties within the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, it is important to understand how the following Provincial regulations apply to your proposal.

The Greenbelt Plan identifies areas where urban development should not occur in order to permanently protect the agricultural land base and the ecological features and functions occurring on this landscape.

The Oak Ridges Moraine is an environmentally sensitive landform in south central Ontario and it covers more than 80% of the Town.  The Oak Ridges Moraine Conservation Plan provides land use and resource management direction for these sensitive resources within the Moraine.

The Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe (2019)The Growth Plan outlines provincial policies for directing and managing growth and infrastructure planning across the GGH.  The Growth Plan emphasizes accommodating growth by directing a portion of new development to existing built-up areas. The Growth Plan requires a minimum of 50% of all new residential development across York Region in the GGH take place within existing built up areas, and be achieved largely through intensification. It also outlines certain density targets for population and employment growth in strategic growth areas and new urban areas. 

Regional Policies

The York Region Official Plan 2010 (YROP 2010) describes how York Region plans to accommodate future growth and development while meeting the needs of existing residents and businesses in the Region. It provides directions and policies that guide economic, environmental and community planning decisions.

Wellhead Protection Areas

You may need a Section 59 Notice from York Region's Risk Management Office if your development is in the 5-year travel zone of a Wellhead Protection Area (WHPA-C), indicated in blue on the map.

To see if your property is within a wellhead protection area, go to: www.york.ca/SPMap or contact the Town Planning Department (905) 640-1900.

Source Protection Plans

Source Protection Plans under the Clean Water Act are now in effect. Two Source Protection Plans govern the Town:

South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe, north of Bloomington Road and, 

Credit Valley, Toronto and Region and Central Lake Ontario, south of Vandorf Road        

The Official Plan and Zoning By-Law have not yet been updated to reflect these changes. Planning and building permit applications must comply with the applicable Source Protection Plan.