Official Plan and Official Plan Review

Official Plan Review 2025

The Township of East Garafraxa is undertaking a new Official Plan (OP) and Zoning By-law Review. This important project will set the framework for how our community grows and develops in the years ahead, while ensuring local policies align with provincial and County of Dufferin requirements.

What is an Official Plan?

An Official Plan is a long-term policy document that guides land use, development, and growth in the Township. It sets out where housing, employment, farming, natural heritage protection, and community services can be located, and how they will evolve over time.

The new East Garafraxa Official Plan will:

• Ensure local planning decisions are consistent with the Provincial Planning Statement (2024).

• Conform with the County of Dufferin Official Plan, while addressing East Garafraxa’s unique needs.

• Provide specific policies for local issues such as agriculture, rural development, cannabis production, estate residential areas, parkland dedication, and community planning.

Once complete, the new Official Plan will be supported by an updated Zoning By-law, which regulates permitted land uses.

Get Involved

Your input is essential. Residents, landowners, and stakeholders are encouraged to attend engagement sessions and provide feedback throughout the project.

Open House and Public Meeting 

In accordance with Sections 17 and 26 of the Planning Act, a Statutory Open House and Public Meeting are being held regarding the proposed new draft Official Plan for the Township of East Garafraxa.

An Official Plan is a legal document required by the Province through the Planning Act that sets out the municipality’s long-term land use strategy for growth and development.

This Notice is being given in accordance with Planning Act requirements. A final recommendation on the new Official Plan will not be presented until after the Township Open House and Public Meeting and all technical comments have been received.

DATE AND FORMAT FOR THE OPEN HOUSE AND PUBLIC MEETING
The Open House and Public Meeting dates and times are as follows:

OPEN HOUSE DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, December 17, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.
PUBLIC MEETING DATE AND TIME: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.

The Open House and Public Meeting will be held in a hybrid format, with both in-person and remote participation available. Registration is required for those wishing to attend remotely. The Zoom registration links will be posted on the Township website calendar on the applicable meeting dates.

Both meetings will be held at the Township Administration Office located at 065371 Dufferin County Road 3, Unit 2, East Garafraxa, ON L9W 7J8. 

Any person may participate in the Open House and Public Meeting or make written or oral representation either in support of or in opposition of the proposed Official Plan.

Council will consider all written and oral submissions regarding the draft Official Plan and will provide any person attending the Open House and Public Meeting the opportunity to be heard, as required under the Planning Act.

Please refer the full Notice of Open House and Public Meeting dated November 6, 2025 for additional information including how to provide comments. 

Introductory Workshop

An Introductory Workshop was held on September 17, 2025, minutes for the meeting can be found at the following link and the presentation is available below. 

• Meeting Presentation - Official Plan Introductory Workshop September 17, 2025

Township of East Garafraxa Official Plan

Official Plans contain objectives and policies established primarily to provide guidance for the development of a municipality. Official Plan Amendments may be obtained from time to time by following the applicable amendment process. 

The Township Official Plan was adopted by Township Council in December 2004 and approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) in October 2005. The Official Plan Office Consolidation dated May 2025 has been prepared for the purpose of convenience only. For copies of By-Laws please contact the Township office. 

• Official Plan Office Consolidation May 2025

Official Plan Schedules (Maps) - Office Consolidation May 2025:

• Schedule A - Land Use and Transportation Plan 
• Schedule A-1 - Community of Marsville Land Use Plan and Transportation 
• Schedule A-2 - Community of Orton Land Use Plan and Transportation 
• Schedule B - Environmental Features 
• Schedule D - Greenbelt
• Schedule E - Greenbelt Natural Heritage Features 
• Schedule F - Source Water Protection Area

Please visit the Applications, Licences and Permits page for the Application for an Official Plan Amendment.

Visit the Ministry of Ontario website for the Citizen's guide to land use planning including Official Plans. 

County of Dufferin Official Plan 

The Official Plan for the County of Dufferin (the “County Official Plan” or “Plan”) provides over-arching policy direction on matters of County significance and implements provincial policy. The County Official Plan directs County growth management and land use decisions by providing upper-tier land use planning 
guidance for the County’s eight local municipalities. Detailed land use planning and local decision making is managed and administered locally through the local municipal official plans which will conform to the policies of this Plan.

The Plan guides County Council and local municipal Councils in the consideration of their responsibilities and provides direction and certainty to the residents and businesses of the County on land use planning matters.

Visit the County of Dufferin Official Plan page for more details.