Skip to Content

City of Richmond Hill Logo

Contact Us Main menu icon Menu
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
  • Our Services

    Popular Links

    • Snow Removal News and Notices
    • Garbage and Recycling at Your Home
    • Contact Directory
    • Volunteering
    • Property Tax Billings
    • Water Services
    • A-Z Services
    • Accessibility
    • Accessing City Records and Information
    • Animal Services
    • By-laws
    • City of Richmond Hill e-Newsletter
    • Commissioning Public Services
    • Contact Us
    • Cooling Centres
    • Council, Committees and Task Forces
    • Emergency Services
    • Employment
    • Fee Assistance
    • Fire and Emergency Services
    • Garbage and Recycling
    • Holiday Donation Drive
    • Holiday Service Schedule
    • How Can We Help You
    • Library
    • View All "Our Services"
    View our Garbage and Recycling page
  • Things to Do

    Popular Links

    • Arenas
    • Community Centres
    • Events
    • Parks and Facilities
    • Recreation Programs
    • Registered Recreation Programs
    • Swimming
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Arts and Culture
    • Attractions
    • Birthday Party Packages
    • Camp
    • Educational Programs and Field Trips
    • Facilities and Sports Fields
    • Festivals and Events
    • Get Active
    • Get Involved
    • Heritage and Museums
    • Library
    • Map Gallery
    • McConaghy Centre
    • Outdoor Activities
    • PA Day Programs
    • Parks, Trails and Facilities Directory
    • Parks, Trails and Natural Areas
    • Recreation Programs
    • View All "Things to Do"
    View our Book a Facility page
  • Register, Apply or Pay

    Popular Links

    • Book a Facility
    • Procurement Bid Opportunities
    • Building, Development and Roads
    • Water Bill
    • Building Permits
    • Employment
    • Animal Licences
    • Applications, Licences and Permits
    • Birth and Death Certificates
    • Book a Facility
    • Building Inspections
    • Business Licence
    • Community Gardens
    • Employment
    • Fee Assistance
    • Garbage Tags and Bins
    • Healthy Yards, Plant Kits, and Rain Barrels
    • How to Pay Your Water Bill
    • Large Appliance and Metal Goods Collection
    • Letter of Greeting from Mayor Request
    • Marriage and Weddings
    • Milestone Certificate Request
    • News Updates and eNewsletter
    • Open Air Burning
    • Parking Permits
    • View All "Register, Apply or Pay"
    View our Community Recreation Guide page
  • Invest and Do Business

    Popular Links

    • Economic Development
    • Why Richmond Hill
    • Small Business Enterprise Centre
    • Creative Industries Symposium
    • Economic Development Strategy
    • Zoning By-Law Amendment
    • Advertising and Sponsorship
    • Available Land and Buildings
    • Building Permits
    • Business Support
    • Community Improvement Plan (CIP) - Grants
    • Development
    • Economic Development
    • Economic Development Publications
    • Economic Development Team
    • Filming in Richmond Hill
    • Help for Businesses
    • Innovators of the Year Award
    • Key Sectors
    • MedEdge
    • Procurement Bid Opportunities
    • Property Taxes
    • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Small Business Enterprise Centre
    • Talent Recruitment
    • View All "Invest and Do Business"
    View our Why Richmond Hill page
  • Find or Learn About

    Popular Links

    • By-laws
    • Heritage and Museums
    • How Can We Help You?
    • Planning Development
    • Parking Permits
    • Parks, Trails and Natural Areas
    • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Richmond Hill's 150th Anniversary
    • A-Z Services
    • About Government
    • About Richmond Hill
    • Access Richmond Hill
    • Age-Friendly Community
    • Animal Services
    • Arts and Culture
    • Awards
    • Budget
    • By-laws
    • Capital Projects
    • Certificate of Insurance Forms
    • Civic Precinct Project
    • Commissioning Public Services
    • Community Development
    • Contact Us
    • Cooling Centres
    • Council, Committees and Task Forces
    • COVID-19
    • View All "Find or Learn About"
    View our Parks, Trails and Facilities page
Access RH

Access Richmond Hill

The Access Richmond Hill Contact Centre provides assistance for general inquiries, responds to questions or concerns regarding programs and services as well as accepts in person payments.

Contact Us

905-771-8800

access@richmondhill.ca

Hours of Service:
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Report Feedback

Report a problem with a service, e.g. missed garbage collection, overnight parking, potholes, street lights, etc.

Report a Problem

Feedback
  • Reports, Publications and Plans
    • Affordable Housing Strategy
    • Asset Management
    • Budget
    • Economic Development Strategy
    • Environment Strategy
    • Financial Statements
    • Inventory of Cultural Heritage Resources
    • Lake Wilcox Special Policy Area
    • Official Plan
      • Official Plan Update
    • Parks, Recreation and Culture Plans
    • Planning Studies
    • Socio Economic Study
    • Tennis Strategy
    • Water Quality Report
  • A-Z Services
  • About Government
  • About Richmond Hill
  • Access Richmond Hill
  • Age-Friendly Community
  • Animal Services
  • Arts and Culture
  • Awards
  • Budget
  • By-laws
  • Capital Projects
  • Certificate of Insurance Forms
  • Civic Precinct Project
  • Commissioning Public Services
  • Community Development
  • Contact Us
  • Cooling Centres
  • Council, Committees and Task Forces
  • COVID-19
  • Daylight Saving Time
  • David Hamilton Park and Ed Sackfield Arena and Fitness Centre Project
  • Design and Construction Guidelines
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Elections
  • Emergency Services
  • Employment
  • Environment and Sustainability
  • Events
  • Fee Assistance
  • Filming in Richmond Hill
  • Find Yourself Here
  • Freedom of Information
  • Follow Us On Social Media
  • Garbage and Recycling
  • Get Active
  • Heritage and Museums
  • Integrity Commissioner
  • Library
  • Lottery Licence
  • Municipal Property Assessment (MPAC)
  • My City at Work
  • Natural Heritage System
  • Parking
  • Planning Development
  • Planning Information
  • Property Taxes
  • RH Maps
  • Richmond Hill's 150th Anniversary
  • Richmond Hill Blooms
  • Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts
  • Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory
  • Schools
  • Strategic Priorities
  • The Wave Pool
  • Transportation and Roads
  • Trees and Yards
  • Volunteering
  • Warming Centres
  • Zone Richmond Hill
  • Inventory of Cultural Heritage Resources

City Plan Banner

Official Plan Update

subnav icon More
Share this page
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter
  • Email
Home/...Reports, Publications and PlansOfficial PlanOfficial Plan Update

More in this Section...

The City of Richmond Hill is updating the current Official Plan to guide land use and development. 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.

Latest Update: December 2022

Last month, the City of Richmond Hill hosted virtual workshops related to four growth areas identified in the Official Plan: Yonge and 16th Avenue/Carrville Key Development Area, Village Local Centre, Newkirk Local Centre and Oak Ridges Local Centre.

View map of study areas

At each of these workshops, participants were able to:

  • Hear from City staff about the Key Directions for the area
  • Share their insights and personal experiences about the area
  • Engage in interactive discussions about how the area can be further developed to address the community’s current and future needs

View the slides that were shared at each session:

  • Yonge and Carrville / 16thAvenue Key Development Area Workshop – November 15, 2022
  • Village Local Centre Workshop – November 17, 2022
  • Newkirk Local Centre Workshop – November 22, 2022
  • Oak Ridges Local Centre Workshop – November 24, 2022

Let's Plan our future together!

Watch this video to learn more about how the Official Plan Update impacts the future of your city and why you should get involved. 

 The Official Plan Update project

What is an Official Plan?

An Official Plan is a policy document that applies to all properties within the municipal boundary. It guides how land is used, and how and where growth and development will take place in our city.

The current Richmond Hill Official Plan provides:

  • A vision for the future of the city
  • An approach for where and how development will occur
  • Direction for municipal servicing to meet the needs of our growing city
  • Protection of natural areas and ecosystems
  • Implementation tools
Why the Official Plan is being updated

The Province requires that an Official Plan update be completed 10 years after the preparation of a new comprehensive Official Plan. This ensures that the updated plan implements any changes to provincial policies, conforms with policies in the York Region Official Plan, responds to current urban issues and conditions, and considers new opportunities for shaping the City.

Richmond Hill’s current Official Plan was adopted by Council in July 2010 in order to guide development to 2031. This review will provide a clear vision for planning and development in Richmond Hill over the long term.

In addition to Planning Act requirements, the update of the Official Plan will look to better support long-term sustainable city building, respond to climate change, and create a better balance of jobs and residents in the City.

The Official Plan update process is occurring concurrently with York Region's Municipal Comprehensive Review. As such, the update will also ensure that policies and mapping conform with those of the Regional Official Plan.

Other City initiatives related to the Official Plan Update

There are several City initiatives that will occur at the same time as the Official Plan update. These initiatives will develop tools that will be used to implement the policies of the Official Plan. There are also studies underway which will inform the Official Plan Update. Throughout this process, the existing approved Official Plan is in effect and guides decision making for the City.

The following is a list of City-led projects:

  • Affordable Housing Strategy
  • Community Benefits Charge Strategy
  • Community Energy and Emissions Plan
  • Comprehensive Zoning By-law
  • Environment Strategy
  • Investment Attraction Strategy
  • Parks, Recreation and Culture Plans
  • Richmond Hill Centre Secondary Plan
  • Socio Economic Study
  • Transportation Master Plan Update
  • Urban Forest Management Plan
  • Urban Master Environmental Services Plan
  • Yonge and Bernard Key Development Area Secondary Plan
Staff Reports
 Background
  • SRPRS.19.053 Official Plan Update initiation report (item 13.3 at the November 20, 2019 Council meeting)
  • SRPRS.19.181 Official Plan Update Committee Terms of Reference (item 11.19 at the December 4, 2019 Committee of the Whole meeting)
  • SRPRS.20.003 York Region's Municipal Comprehensive Review (Part 1): Requests for Employment Area Conversions (item 13.9 at the February 26, 2020 Council meeting)
  • SRPRS.20.004 York Region's Municipal Comprehensive Review (Part 2): Major Transit Station Areas, Settlement Area Expansion, and Agricultural System (item 13.10 at the February 26, 2020 Council meeting)
  • SRPI.21.055 Request for Comments – York Region Official Plan Update Policy Directions (item 13.8 at the June 23, 2021 Council meeting)
 Key Directions
  • SRPI.21.118 Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions (item 13.6 at the December 8, 2021 Council meeting)
  • SRPI.22.012 - Request for Endorsement: Official Plan Update Key Directions Report - Supplementary to SRPI.21.118 (item 13.4 at the February 9, 2022 Council meeting)
 Official Plan Amendments
  • SRPRS.20.097 Employment Land Conversions - OPA 18.1 Automotive Uses and OPA 18.2 Leslie Street Institutional Area (item 3.1 at the June 29, 2020 Special Council Public Meeting)
  • SRPRS.20.126 Request for Approval - City-initiated Official Plan Amendment 18.2 Leslie Street Institutional Area (item 13.2 at the September 23, 2020 Council meeting)
  • SRPI.22.054 - Request for Comments - Draft Official Plan Amendment 18.3 Vision and City Structure – City File D01-22002 (item 3.1 at the May 18, 2022 Council Public meeting)
  • SRPI.22.055 - Request for Comments - Draft Official Plan Amendment 18.4 Neighbourhoods – City File D01-22003 (item 3.2 at the May 18, 2022 Council Public meeting)
  • SRPI.22.075 – Request for Approval – Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 18.3 Vision and City Structure - City File D01-22003 - (Proposed By-law 81-22) (item 3.1 at the June 27, 2022 Special Council meeting) 
    • Supplementary Information:
      • Growth Forecast and Methodology prepared by Watson and Associates
      • Preliminary Transportation Analysis Memo prepared by WSP
      • Preliminary Water and Wastewater Analysis Memo prepared by CIVICA
  • SRPI.22.076 – Request for Approval – Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 18.4 Neighbourhoods - City File D01-22003 - (Proposed By-law 82-22) (item 3.2 at the June 27, 2022 Special Council meeting)
  • SRPI.22.076 - Supplementary Memo (item 13.19 of the July 6, 2022 Council meeting)

Project Phases

Preliminary Official Plan Amendments

Two proposed amendments to the Official Plan related to uses in Employment Lands were initiated by the City. These amendments aimed to coordinate with the work being undertaken by York Region with respect to their Municipal Comprehensive Review, to respond to Council direction, and to respond to site-specific concerns.

The amendments proposed were:

  • OPA 18.1 - Automotive uses in employment lands (city file D01-20005)
    • Draft Official Plan Amendment 18.1
    • OPA 18.1 Prescribed Information
  • OPA 18.2 - Conversion of Employment Area to permit new and/or expansion of existing institutional, office, and small-scale retail uses (city file D01-20006)
    • Draft Official Plan Amendment 18.2
    • OPA 18.2 Prescribed Information

OPA 18.2 was adopted by Council on September 23, 2020, and was approved by York Region and came into effect on December 25, 2020. The changes proposed as part of OPA 18.1 (automotive uses) will be considered as part of the overall Official Plan Update, and are no longer proceeding ahead of the overall Official Plan Update.

Meetings and Engagement Events

  • Virtual Open House - June 22, 2020
    • View the recording of the June 22, 2020 Virtual Open House
    • June 22, 2020 Virtual Open House presentation slides
  • Special Council Public Meeting - June 29, 2020
    • View the recording of the June 29, 2020 Special Council Public Meeting
    • The Staff Report and its attachments
  • Council Meeting - September 23, 2020
    • The Staff Report and its attachments
Phase 1 – Define Vision and Urban Structure
This phase focuses on the big picture thinking and generating ideas to inform a vision for the City over the long term. This phase also focuses on gathering feedback on the urban structure of the City.

Meetings and Engagement Events

  • Official Plan Update Committee meeting - November 24, 2020
    • View the recording of the November 24, 2020 OPUC meeting
    • November 24, 2020 OPUC Meeting presentation slides (note: 10MB file size)
  • Official Plan Update Committee meeting - January 19, 2021
    • View the recording of the January 19, 2021 OPUC meeting
    • January 19, 2021 OPUC Meeting presentation slides
  • City Plan 2041 Virtual Open House - February 18, 2021
    • View the recording of the February 18, 2021 Virtual Open House
    • February 18, 2021 Virtual Open House presentation slides

What We Heard

Following the engagement that the City has conducted to the end of March 2021, LURA Consulting has prepared a "What We Heard" report. This report provides a summary of consultation the City has undertaken and the responses that have been received so far. This input will inform Phase 2 of the Official Plan Update process.

View the "What We Heard" Phase 1 Summary Report

Phase 2 – Key Directions Report

This phase of the OP Update process focuses on gathering feedback on key policy directions related to: height and density of buildings, intensification of development in transit supported areas, opportunities to increase employment and economic prosperity, climate change mitigation and adaptation, technical matters, and implementation tools. At the conclusion of this phase, Council endorsed a Key Directions report, which was informed by several engagement events and a report, prepared by urbanist David Dixon, called “Planning for Change.” 

Key Directions Report

The Key Directions Report provides a framework for the updating of the Official Plan, to ensure that the proposed Vision and Urban Structure for the City Plan can be achieved. The framework is informed by Provincial policy, emerging Regional policy resulting from the Municipal Comprehensive Review process that York Region is presently undertaking, other City initiated studies that are in-process or completed, and the City Plan consultation that has taken place to date. Accordingly, the Report provides the foundation for preparing future amendments to the City’s Official Plan during Phase 3 of this update process. 

  • Key Directions Report - November 2021 (note: 11MB file size)
  • Council meeting - February 9, 2022 (see Items 11, 13.3, 13.4 and 13.8) 

Meetings and Engagement Events

  • Business Community Workshop - April 27, 2021
  • Area-specific Workshops
    • Bathurst Street and Highway 7 Centre Workshop - May 4, 2021
    • Yonge Street and 16th Avenue/Carrville Road Centre Workshop - May 6, 2021
    • Village and Richmond Hill GO Station Centres Workshop - May 11, 2021
    • Bayview and Highway 7 Centre Workshop - May 13, 2021
    • Oak Ridges Centre Workshop - May 18, 2021
    • East Beaver Creek Centre Workshop - May 20, 2021
  • Official Plan Update Committee - September 21, 2021
  • Key Directions Virtual Open House - October 14, 2021
    • View the recording of the October 14, 2021 Key Directions Open House
    • October 14, 2021 Key Directions Open House presentation slides
  • Council Meeting - December 8, 2021 (see items 13.6 and 13.7)

What We Heard

Following the engagement that the City conducted as part of Phase 2 of the Official Plan Update process, LURA Consulting has prepared three "What We Heard" reports. The first two reports provide a summary of the consultation the City has undertaken to the end of May 2021 with the business community and on six Centres in Richmond Hill respectively. The third report summarizes the comments and feedback that were received by the City in the fall of 2021 as part of the Phase 2 consultations on the emerging Key Directions.

  • Phase 2: What We Heard - Business Community Summary Report - July 2021
  • Phase 2: What We Heard - Centre-Specific Workshops Engagement Summary Report - July 2021
  • Phase 2: What We Heard - Key Directions Engagement Summary Report - November 2021

Planning for Change

City Plan 2041's visionary urbanist David Dixon and Stantec's Urban Places have prepared a report titled "Planning for Change", which will serve as a "playbook" to guide the Official Plan Update and its implementation. The "playbook" intends to inform the Official Plan Update, provide guidance to Council and Planning Staff to successfully implement the Official Plan, and adds additional perspective in terms of a path to take for planning complete communities.

  • Planning for Change report - July 2021 (note: 11MB file size)
Phase 3 – Policy Development and Official Plan Amendments

During this phase, the City will gather feedback from residents and community groups as they proceed to draft and finalize several Official Plan Amendments (OPAs). These OPAs will be divided into three batches. Each part will include public engagement, to share our research, discuss possible changes to the Official Plan, receive feedback and share what we have heard, prior to recommending adoption of changes to the Official Plan.

 Phase 3 - Batch 1 Official Plan Amendments 

 Timeline and Engagement Events

  • On April 26, 2022, City of Richmond Hill staff presented Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 18.3 – Vision and City Structure and OPA 18.4 – Neighbourhoods at a virtual Open House. At this meeting, staff explained how the proposed changes to the Official Plan relate to matters such as the City Plan's planning vision and the overall city structure for where and how to accommodate growth and development. Staff also explained how these amendments propose changes to the Official Plan relating to matters such as: building “15-minute communities”, providing affordable market housing, responding to climate change and prioritizing active transportation. These proposed amendments implement several key directions identified in the Council endorsed the City Plan Key Directions Report.
    • View the recording of the April 26, 2022 Open House
    • View the April 26, 2022 Open House presentation slides
  • On May 18, 2022, a Council Public Meeting was held to receive comments on proposed amendments to the Official Plan. Copies of the staff reports are also provided in the staff report section of this webpage.
    • View the recording of the May 18, 2022 Council Public Meeting
  • On June 27, 2022, the City of Richmond Hill brought forward two Official Plan Amendments related to the Official Plan Update at the Special Council Public Meeting. During the meeting, Council adopted OPA 18.3 and referred OPA 18.4 to the July 6, 2022 Council Meeting (item 13.19).  The official Notice of Adoption of OPA 18.3 is posted as of July 5, 2022.
    • View the adopted OPA 18.3
  • On July 6, 2022, OPA 18.4 – Neighbourhoods was adopted by City Council, with one amendment to it. Please see the Minutes of City Council meeting for more details. The official Notice of Adoption of OPA 18.4 is posted as of July 19, 2022.
    • View the adopted OPA 18.4

Both of these OPAs will now be reviewed by the Region of York, who is the approval authority.

Informative Videos

  • OPA 18.3 Overview of Draft Amendment Video
  • OPA 18.4 Overview of Draft Amendment Video

What We Heard

Following the engagement that the City conducted as part of Phase 3 of the Official Plan Update process, LURA Consulting has prepared a "What We Heard" report. This report provides a summary of the feedback received on both OPA 18.3 – Vision and City Structure and OPA 18.4 – Neighbourhoods. Phase 3: What We Heard – OPA 18.3 & 18.4 Engagement Summary Report - June 2022. 

Additional ways to participate

  • Attend future consultation events
  • Provide your input through future online surveys
  • Subscribe to this page for email updates (see below)
  • Submit your comments to OPUpdate@richmondhill.ca or call us at 905-771-8910
Receive Email Updates...

Contact(s)

© 2021 Richmond Hill

  • A-Z Services
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
  • Employment
  • Volunteering
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use

Browser Compatibility Notification

It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.