Official Plan Amendment

The Official Plan helps guide Greater Sudbury’s development and land use. It establishes long-term goals, shapes policies and outlines development strategies for our city. 

An amendment to the Official Plan is adopted through a by-law passed by City Council. Although the Official Plan must be approved by the Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, City Council has the authority to approve amendments to the Official Plan.

 Official Plan Amendments may:

  • change the land use designation of a property
  • apply new policies or an exception to the policies of a property as part of a proposed development that is not allowed under the existing Official Plan.

An Official Plan amendment may also require other approvals before the development can take place such as a Zoning By-law amendment.

Apply for an Official Plan Amendment 

Step One

Step Two

After your pre-consultation meeting with planning staff, you will need to complete any required reports, plans or studies that are required for a complete application. 

Step Three

When you have prepared the required information, you can apply for the official plan amendment.

  • Complete the Official Plan Amendment Application (PDF, 0.2 MB)
  • Make sure to include any necessary documents and fees
  • Submit your application in person to Planning Services, 3rd floor of Tom Davies Square or by mail to:

          Planning Services
          City of Greater Sudbury
          P.O. Box 5000
          200 Brady Street
          Sudbury, ON P3A 5P3

  • The signatures of the applicant or agent on the application forms must be witnessed by a Commissioner.  The City has Commissioners of Oath on staff that can witness your signing of the application.

Official Plan Amendment Fees

Official Plan Amendment Approval Process

  1. Your Official Plan amendment application will be reviewed by the Senior Planner assigned to the file to determine that it is complete.  You will be advised within 30 days of the application having been submitted as to whether or not it is complete. 
  2. If the application is not complete you will be advised as to what information is missing in order to make the application complete. 
  3. Once your application is complete, notice will be provided to the public that the application and information submitted with it are available to the public.  The public will be invited to submit comments to the City on the application.
  4. Planning Services will coordinate the review of the application and will circulate it to relevant City departments and outside agencies for comment.  Following the review, planning staff will prepare a report with a recommendation to be considered at a public hearing by the City’s Planning Committee.
  5. The City will provide a notice of the public hearing. The public is invited to submit comments on the application or speak at the public meeting.  At the public meeting planning staff will present their report on the application. 
  6. The applicant also has an opportunity to present to the Planning Committee.
  7. If you provided comment on the Official Plan Amendment and disagree with the decision you may appeal the decision to the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT). Learn more about public hearings on planning applications and the appeal process.