Official Community Plan

Hands holding a pen over a coloured map on a desk

The Official Community Plan (OCP) is the City’s policy framework for how our community should grow and change over time. It also provides a long-term vision, goals, and policies for New Westminster. Together, these elements connect the community’s “big picture” aspiration with the tools needed to achieve it, including specific actions, development permit guidelines, and land use designations. This Plan is implemented by the City in various ways, including through policy initiatives, public programs, civic projects, and bylaws. The implementation also occurs privately through avenues such as development and citizen action groups.

In New Westminster there is also a community plan for Queensborough and Downtown.

Maps and Resources

To see how land is designated and where development permit requirements apply, use the consolidated maps below. These maps bring together the Official Community Plan and the Downtown and Queensborough Plans in one place.

Consolidated Land Use Designation Map and Designations

See the intended future use and general form of development for each property, combining the OCP and the Downtown and Queensborough Plans. (Updated September 2026)

Consolidated Development Permit Areas Map

Find where development permit guidelines apply to shape new development, manage hazards, and support water and energy conservation and lower emissions. (Updated April 2023)

OUR CITY 2041: New Westminster's Official Community Plan

The Official Community Plan (OCP) includes a long-term vision, goals, and policies for all of New Westminster. It also includes a framework for how neighbourhoods, other than Queensborough and Downtown, should grow and change.

Official Community Plan (Updated April 2023)

Please note an updated Official Community Plan is being prepared to reflect the amendments adopted by Council. Further information about those changes can be found in the "Recent Official Community Plan Updates" section below.

The City has a neighbourhood plan for Downtown (Schedule C of the Official Community Plan). Neighbourhood or community plans are important documents that guide growth and development within individual neighbourhoods.

Downtown warrants a community plan because it is identified as a Regional City Centre within the Regional Growth Strategy, and serves as a high-density, historic heart within New Westminster that provides services to the entire city.

Downtown Community Plan (Updated April 2023)

Please note an updated Downtown Community Plan is being prepared to reflect the amendments adopted by Council. Further information about those changes can be found in the "Recent Official Community Plan Updates" section below.

The City has a neighbourhood plan Queensborough (Schedule D of the Official Community Plan). Neighbourhood or community plans are important documents that guide growth and development within individual neighbourhoods.

Queensborough warrants a community plan because it is geographically separated from the rest of the city and is located in the floodplain, which creates unique challenges.

Queensborough Community Plan (Updated April 2023)

Please note an updated Queensborough Community Plan is being prepared to reflect amendments. Further information about those changes can be found in the "Recent Official Community Plan Updates" section below.

The Official Community Plan, Queensborough Community Plan and Downtown Community Plan each include Development Permit Areas and the related guidelines.

The guidelines shape the form and character of new development, and encourage best practices for promoting water and energy conservation and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The guidelines ensure that all new development helps to implement the land use policies in each Plan.

Learn more about Development Permit Areas in the Official Community Plan covering the mainland of the city, Queensborough and Downtown.

Please note updated Development Permit Areas are being prepared to reflect amendments adopted by Council. Further information about those changes can be found in the "Recent Official Community Plan Updates" section below.

Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area (Schedule A of the Official Community Plan) provides heritage protection for existing buildings and design guidelines for new construction in the Queen’s Park neighbourhood.

The goal of a Heritage Conservation Area is to minimize the loss of historic assets while ensuring development is appropriate to the existing character of the neighbourhood.Learn more about the Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area

Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area (Schedule A of the OCP)

Recent Official Community Plan Updates

In February and June 2026, the City updated the OCP in response to several new housing initiatives and Provincial legislative changes. This included aligning the OCP with provincial housing legislation, enabling more townhouses, allowing infill housing, and encouraging more affordable housing. This work, completed through the "Our City, Our Homes" initiative, focused on enabling well-located homes that meet the diverse housing needs of our growing community.

The Bylaw amendments to the Official Community Plan (including the Downtown Community Plan, Queensborough Community Plan, and Development Permit Areas) can be found below:

Consolidated for Convenience Only (April 2023)

The OCP and schedules (including the Downtown and Queensborough Plans) provided are a consolidation of the original bylaw and the amending bylaws. The consolidation is provided for convenience only. This consolidation is not a legal document. Original bylaws may be obtained from the Legislative Services Department.

List of Amendments to Official Community Plan

Land Use Speculation Disclaimer

The land use designations and Land Use Designation Map shows the types and locations of land uses that will be encouraged over the next 25 years. The land use designations and map do not create development rights. Development rights are determined by the Zoning Bylaw. If the land use allowed in the Zoning Bylaw is different than the land use envisioned in the OCP, an applicant may apply for a rezoning in order to change the development rights regarding land use and density. A rezoning entails a formal public process and the final decision is made by Council. Council is under no obligation to approve a rezoning, even if it is consistent with the OCP. The City of New Westminster cautions against speculation based on anticipating Council's decisions.

Applicants should also be aware of the development costs associated with rezoning, such as development cost charges, parkland dedication, and the construction of new or upgraded services. Learn more about the tools the City uses for Financing Growth.