In BC, the Local Government Act allows all municipalities to prepare and adopt an Official Community Plan (OCP). An OCP is a bylaw that sets out the broad objectives and policies that guide decisions on planning, land use and provision of municipal services in the community. It also establishes a degree of certainty about the location and nature of community change to residents and landowners while providing a framework for guiding and managing future development and growth.
The most recent comprehensive update to the OCP began in March 2020. Following a two-year process of community engagement, technical review, and policy development, Council adopted Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2240 on June 27, 2022.
Sidney’s OCP includes the West Side Local Area Plan (WSLAP) as Schedule B. The WSLAP provides detailed policies and recommendations to guide the future of the West Side neighbourhood over the next 30 years.
While initial public engagement from 2020-2021 informed the development of the overall OCP document, community input continued to be a critical factor in refining the first draft of the OCP following its introduction on February 28, 2022. The draft OCP underwent a number of substantial changes in response to public feedback during its development, documented in this list of Council resolutions.
Sidney 2040: Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 2240
- Official Community Plan Bylaw
- OCP Schedule B: West Side Local Area Plan
- OCP: Land Use Designation Map
- OCP: Environmentally Sensitive Areas Map
Ongoing Amendments
The OCP is periodically updated to respond to emerging community needs, legislative changes, and Council priorities.
Recent amendments have included:
- Expanding eligibility for Temporary Use Permits;
- Updating park designations to include the park lands acquired at 10097 and 10103 Third Street in 2024;
- Aligning height limits in residential areas; and
- Other housekeeping and policy updates to improve consistency within the OCP.
Council has also considered amendments related to tenant protections for purpose-built rental housing aimed at reducing impacts on tenants when purpose-built rental housing is redeveloped. Following public input and Council discussion, staff were directed to prepare revised OCP amendments and a Tenant Protection Bylaw that would apply to all purpose-built rental buildings in Sidney. The updated proposed amendment and draft Tenant Protection Bylaw will be brought back to Council in early 2027 with an additional Public Hearing.
Past Official Community Plans