> Home > City Services > Planning & Zoning > Official Community Plan > About the OCP
Official Community Plan

About the OCP

What Is An Official Community Plan (OCP)?
An Official Community Plan (OCP) is a legally required City bylaw which enables Council to plan, co-ordinate and manage the City's sustainability, social, economic and land use interests, over the long term (e.g., 2041).

An OCP reflects the overall values of the 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.

As a community is comprised of many interests (for example, residents, property owners, community groups, developers, investors), preparing an OCP requires consultation and a public hearing before it is approved.

OCPs must also meet legislative requirements, for example by:

  • addressing Bill 27 Green House Gas [GHG] targets and policy requirements (by May 31, 2010), and
  • establishing appropriate housing policies to meet anticipated needs, for a period of at least five years, and
  • including a Regional Context Statement (RCS) to indicate how the OCP will implement the Metro Vancouver (MV) Regional Growth Strategy (RGS). As a new RGS is anticipated to be approved by the MV Board in mid 2010, within 2 years (by mid 2013), Council must pass a new OCP Regional Context Statement.

Richmond’s first OCP was established in 1986. The theme of the current 1999 OCP is: “Quality Improvements.”

Richmond’s OCP is comprised of:

  • Schedule 1 - the overall OCP which addresses City wide matters, and
  • Schedule 2 - 6 Area Plans (e.g., City Centre) and 13 Sub Area Plans (e.g., Thompson) which address neighbourhood issues.

Current OCP
For the current OCP see:

Why Is The OCP Important?
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 co-ordinated. The OCP provides certainty for residents, land owners and the City about the future (the current OCP plans for 2021).

Without an OCP, individuals pursuing their own interests could make separate and uncoordinated decisions which may generate undesirable consequences. For example, if a high-traffic-generating fast food drive-in which stays open late at night were to locate in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood, it would likely cause a nuisance and complaints which the City would be asked to solve, after they have occurred. With an OCP, they could have been avoided in the first place.

Who Uses An OCP?
Residents, property owners, community groups, developers and investors use the OCP to learn about where and how future growth (for example, land use, density, architectural character) may occur and then make decisions and prepare development proposals which conform to it.

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

How Does the OCP Work?

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 indentified 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.

For City Initiatives Since 1999 see:  Selected City Strategies, Plans, Services & Initiatives since 1999

Amending, Reviewing and Updating The OCP

  • Amending: - An OCP may be amended at any time. Council usually amends it several times a year to keep it relevant and effective in light of changing social, environmental and economic needs, public and Council preferences and legislation.
  • Reviewing: - An OCP must be reviewed every 5 years, to see if it needs changing.
  • Updating: Council may authorize an update of the OCP periodically and has currently done so.

Official Community Plan (OCP) Update 2041
Council has authorized the updating of the current 1999 OCP with the theme: “My Sustainable Community.” The updating process is underway and anticipated to be completed in 2011.

The Update will enable the City to better manage to 2041, promote sustainability, clarify where and how population and employment will be managed outside the City Centre, and address current trends

The Update will also meet provincial legislation requirements including GHG and housing targets; a revised Region Context Statement.

See: Official Community Plan (2041) Update 

What Is The Difference Between The OCP and The Zoning Bylaw?
The OCP establishes what the City wants to be by a certain time in the future (e.g., 2041). Its vision and policies indicate if, how and where land uses may remain or change - and that new uses may be allowed.

The Zoning Bylaw establishes the existing regulations (for exampe, land use, density, building height, set backs) regarding how a property can be used now.

If an owner wants to change the land use, density, etc., of a property, Council will need to approve a “rezoning” of the site to another appropriate zone, which will require a public hearing.

The OCP is supported by other City policies such as the City’s Annual Budget, 5 Year Capital Works Budget, Zoning Bylaw, Subdivision Control Bylaw, Development Cost Charges Bylaw, Building Bylaw, Flood Protection Bylaw, heritage bylaws, sustainability policies, etc. See the Bylaws section for more information.