Official Community Plan

An Official Community Plan (OCP) in a comprehensive plan which reflects the overall values of a community by establishing a City vision, goals and objectives for future sustainability, development and servicing, and policies and urban design guidelines to achieve the vision. 

More specifically, the OCP provides:

• a long-term vision to address land use, housing, transportation, economic growth, and environmental conservation
  
• a framework for making decisions about development and land use
  
• consideration for complex social, economic, and environmental factors, such as housing affordability and climate change
  
• a response to our community members’ evolving needs
  
• guidance to create a complete, livable, sustainable community
  
• alignment with municipal, regional, and provincial policies

Legislative Context
Local governments in British Columbia, such as the City of Richmond, are authorized to adopt an Official Community Plan (OCP) pursuant to Section 472 of the Local Government Act (LGA) – a provincial legislation. The LGA stipulates how it must meet legislative requirements. This includes, but is not limited to, the Regional Context Statement that aligns the OCP with Metro Vancouver Regional Growth Strategy (Metro 2050), establish appropriate housing policies to meet anticipated needs, and addressing Green House Gas Reduction Targets and policy requirements.

Once a City adopts an OCP, all bylaws that are approved and initiatives that are undertaken are consistent with plan. The OCP enables City Council to plan, coordinate and manage the City's sustainability, social, economic and land use interests, over the long term (e.g., to the year 2050).

As a community is comprised of many interests preparing an OCP requires teamwork, engagement and a public hearing before it is approved.

Provincial Government Legislation Changes
In November 2023, the Provincial Government imposed legislation that significantly altered the planning framework throughout British Columbia, including Richmond. By the end of 2025, the OCP must:

• incorporate a new policy framework on how amenities are collected;
  
• update the density bonus framework for items that are not included in the Amenity Cost Charges bylaw and use inclusionary zoning to secure affordable housing;
  
• reflect and pre-zone for the 20-year total number of housing units required to meet anticipated housing needs as outlined in the interim Housing Needs Report; and
  
• be consistent with the Transit-Oriented Development and Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing related bylaws.

The OCP ensures that the many interests such as sustainability, land use, and investment in a community are directed towards a common vision and that change is managed and coordinated. The OCP provides certainty for residents, land owners and the City about the future.

Without an OCP, individuals pursuing their own interests could make separate and uncoordinated decisions which may generate undesirable consequences. For example, if a fast food restaurant with a 24 hour drive-through were to locate in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood, it could generate complaints which the City would be asked to solve. With an OCP, these situations can be avoided.

Council is guided by the OCP when making decisions about zoning, development and servicing.

Preparation and Adoption

• Council authorizes the preparation of an OCP. It is adopted after study, analysis, public consultation and a Public Hearing.

Implementation

• The OCP becomes implemented as people make decisions to change the City, develop and redevelop.
• Residents, property owners, community groups, developers and investors prepare proposals which are to conform to the OCP, if they are to be approved.
• Council’s actions, future bylaws and works are to be consistent with the OCP; however, the OCP bylaw does not commit Council to proceed with specific projects identified in the OCP.
• Senior governments are not regulated by the OCP, but are encouraged to follow it when undertaking projects or development within the City.

Amending and Updating The Official Community Plan

• Council has amended the OCP from time to time to keep it relevant and effective in light of social, demographic, environmental, and economic trends, and changes in community values.

• The new provincial legislation requires the OCP to be updated every five years and include housing policies respecting each class of housing need required in the most recent Housing Needs Report.