Official Plan

Richmond Hill's Official Plan focuses on land use. It contains policies for the physical, social and economic growth of our community.

The Official Plan is Richmond Hill's vision for "building a new kind of urban" community. It helps us make development decisions, such as:

  • where to put new housing, businesses and shopping areas, parks, open spaces, and schools
  • what types of housing, employment and shopping areas, parks, open spaces and schools to include
  • what infrastructure(streets, water services and waste management) will be needed
  • how natural areas and ecosystems will be protected

View the Official Plan (office consolidation to June 2020) 

Official Plan: Part 1

Official Plan: Part 2

Official Plan Update

The City of Richmond Hill is updating the current Official Plan to guide land use and development to 2041. This update will continue to help transform our suburban communities into a more vibrant, complete community that serves the needs of all residents, businesses and visitors in Richmond Hill. Please visit the Official Plan Update page for more information.

Approval History

View the following information to learn about the Official Plan's approval history:

OMB Decisions and Orders

The Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) is an independent adjudicative tribunal that conducts hearings on land use planning appeals. The OMB makes decisions on those appeals under specific provincial legislation, such as the Planning Act.

The Official Plan is partially approved by the OMB, bringing most of its policies into effect. Some policies were deferred or are still under appeal. Most of the appeals that remain are on a site-specific basis. The Office Consolidation of the Official Plan identifies what matters are in effect (and when it was approved) and what matters remain under appeal.

Background Studies
 A number of background studies helped us create Richmond Hill's 2010 Official Plan, including:
  • Policy Context Background Paper Summary Report (May 2008)
  • Urban Structure Study Recommended Staff Report (July 6, 2009)
  • Existing Urban Structure Staff Report (July 6, 2009)
  • Existing Urban Structure Background Study (January, 2009)
  • Environmental Policy Review Background Report (March, 2009)
  • Environmental Policy Review Recommended Directions Report (September, 2009)
  • Housing and Residential Intensification Study Background Report (March, 2009)
  • Housing and Residential Intensification Study Recommendations Report (September, 2009)
  • Economic Policy Review Background Report (March, 2009)
  • Economic Policy Review Recommended Directions Report (September, 2009)
  • Parkland Final Background Paper (October, 2009)
  • Urban Design Review Background and Recommended Policy Directions Report (January, 2010)
  • Heritage Policy Review and Key Directions Report (May, 2009)
  • Downtown Design and Land Use Strategy Background Report (June, 2008)
  • Downtown Design and Land Use Strategy Final Report (May, 2009)
  • Richmond Hill Regional Centre Design and Land Use Study Preferred Concept Report (September 9, 2009)
  • Richmond Hill Regional Centre Design and Land Use Study Final Recommendations Report (January 27, 2010)
  • Official Plan Guiding Principles (February 26, 2009)
  • Official Plan Major Policy Directions (October 1, 2009)

If you would like a copy of any of the listed documents, please contact planning@richmondhill.ca.