Official Plan

Learn about the City of Waterloo’s Official Plan and the ongoing review. Find plan documents, schedules and related materials. 

On this page:

1. About the Official Plan
2. Official Plan review
3. Official Plan
4. Additional materials
5. Planning and land use data
6. Region of Waterloo Official Plan

About the Official Plan

The Official Plan is our city's long-term planning guide for land use and development. Adopted in 2012 after extensive public input, it sets out policies that direct growth and change until 2031. It will be reviewed and updated periodically to ensure it reflects changing conditions in the city.

If you have questions about the plan, or require it in an alternate format, contact our Planning division, at 519-747-8752 or devservices@waterloo.ca.

Official Plan review

We are reviewing the 2012 Official Plan. This review helps the city:

• meet updated provincial planning rules
• address local needs and issues
• make sure the plan aligns with newer policy documents

Follow the review and find ways to participate on Engage Waterloo.

Let us know what you think

Official Plan (updated February 2024)

The Official Plan is a long and detailed document. Download it in PDF sections or read the consolidated versiom (PDF).

• Table of contents
• Explanatory note
• Chapter 1 - Introduction
• Chapter 2 - Vision, principles and basis of the of the plan
• Chapter 3 - City form
• Chapter 4 - Arts, culture, heritage, recreation and leisure
• Chapter 5 - Networks
• Chapter 6 - Transportation
• Chapter 7 - Economy
• Chapter 8 - Environment and energy
• Chapter 9 - Mineral aggregates
• Chapter 10 - Land use policies
• Chapter 11 - Specific provision areas
• Chapter 12 - Implementation
• Glossary

Additional materials

Schedules are maps that help illustrate policies laid out in the Official Plan. 

Download each PDF schedules or view the consolidated schedules (PDF).

• Schedule A - Land use
  • Schedule A1 - Commercial land uses
  • Schedule A2 - Employment areas
  • Schedule A3 - Open space land uses
  • Schedule A4 - Natural system
  • Schedule A5 - Natural hazards
  • Schedule A6 - Specific provision areas
    • Schedule A6a - Specific provisions areas 20 and 45
      • Schedule A45a - Street frontage areas and streetscape elements
      • Schedule A45b - Block plan areas
    • Schedule A6b - Erbsville South, Land Use
    • Schedule A6c - Erbsville South, Environmental System
    • Schedule A6d - Erbsville South, Mobility Network
• Schedule B - City structure
  • Schedule B1 - Height and density
  • Schedule B2 - Uptown urban growth area
  • Schedule B3 - Designated greenfield areas
  • Schedule B4 - Sourcewater protection area
• Schedule C - District boundaries
• Schedule D - Heritage district
• Schedule E - Road classification system
• Schedule F - Active Transportation System
• Schedule G - Road widths
• Schedule H - Mineral aggregate resource areas
• Schedule I - Industrial transition areas
• Schedule J - Station areas
  • Schedule J1 - Conestoga station area
  • Schedule J2 - Northfield station area
  • Schedule J3 - Research and technology station area
  • Schedule J4 - University of Waterloo station area
  • Schedule J5 - Waterloo Park station area

The online version is a consolidation of policies in effect as of October 2023. It is for ease of reference only. For the official version, use the original Plan and Plan Amendments approved by the Region of Waterloo, on file with the City Clerk and Ontario Land Tribunal (previously OMB or LPAT). Access decisions at olt.gov.on.ca/decisions/overview

Planning and land use data

Visit our planning and land use data page to learn how Official Plan policies are being put into practice.

Region of Waterloo Official Plan

On January 1, 2025, the Province shifted most regional planning duties to local municipalities. Until the city updates its Official Plan and repeals the Region’s plan, both plans apply within Waterloo.

If you have questions about how the Region’s Official Plan applies to development in the City of Waterloo, refer to the consolidated Regional Official Plan or contact devservices@waterloo.ca with any questions.

Open the Regional Official Plan PDF