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OUR CITY 2041: New Westminster's Official Community Plan

The Official Community Plan (OCP) 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.

Click here to view the Official Community Plan (Updated April 2023)*

*Please note the April 2023 OCP does not include changes adopted in since that time.

An updated consolidated Official Community Plan is being prepared to reflect the amendments adopted by Council. Further information about those changes can be found in the “Recent OCP Updates” section below.

Additional Resources and Frequently Requested Materials

Consolidated for Convenience Only (April 2023)

The OCP and its schedules (including the Downtown and Queensborough Plans) available here are a consolidation of the original bylaw and the bylaws listed below. The amendment bylaws have been combined with the original bylaw for convenience only. This consolidation is not a legal document. Original bylaws may be obtained from the Legislative Services Department.

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:

  • Downtown Community Plan

    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.

    Click here to view the Downtown Community Plan (Schedule C of the OCP)*

    *Please note an updated consolidated 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 above.

     

  • Queensborough Community Plan

    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.

    Click here to view the Queensborough Community Plan (Schedule D of the OCP)

    *Please note an updated consolidated 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 above. 

     

  • Development Permit Areas

    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.

    Click here to learn more about Development Permit Areas in the Official Community Plan (Schedule B) covering the mainland of the city.

    Click here to learn more about Development Permit Areas in the Downtown Community Plan.

    Click here to learn more about Development Permit Areas in the Queensborough Community Plan.

    *Please note an updated consolidated Development Permit Areas is being prepared to reflect amendments adopted by Council. Further information about those changes can be found in the “Recent Official Community Plan Updates” section above.

     

  • Queen's Park Heritage Conservation Area

    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.

    Click here to learn more about the Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area

    Click here to view Schedule A: Queen’s Park Heritage Conservation Area

  • Land Use Speculation Disclaimer

    The Official Community Plan, including the Land Use Designation Map, does not create development rights.

    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 OCP, including the Land Use Designation Map, does 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.

    Click here to learn more about the tools the City uses for Financing Growth.