Official Plan Housing Policies
Updating the Town’s Official Plan to set the policy framework to support housing.
The Town is proposing new and revised housing policies in the Livable Oakville Plan (Official Plan). The policies provide an updated framework for how the town will consider housing as part of future development applications and when making planning decisions. The Official Plan Amendment does not propose new development.
The policies are informed by the Town’s Housing Strategy and Action Plan and Housing Needs Assessment, as well as input received.
Recommendation Meeting
On April 20, 2026 at Planning and Development Council, Town staff will recommend Council approve a Town-initiated Official Plan Amendment (OPA 78) to put in place new housing policies. The recommended OPA and accompanying staff report will be made available for review on the town’s website on the Agendas and Meetings page by April 10.
Background
The Livable Oakville Plan does not currently have a dedicated housing policy section. Historically, housing policies have been maintained in the Halton Region Official Plan. However, as of July 1, 2024, the Halton Region Official Plan is no longer a regional plan and is now a local Official Plan.
As part of the broader Official Plan Review, it is the intent to amalgamate the Halton Region Official Plan with the Livable Oakville Plan under one plan. Providing new and updated housing policies will assist in bringing together the two plans.
About the Policies
The primary policy change is a new policy section specific to housing in Part C, Section 7 - Housing, in the Livable Oakville Plan. Part C policies apply town-wide and provide the general objectives and policies to direct growth and development decisions in the town.
The new Section 7 – Housing, includes updated and new housing objectives, as well as policies that respond to the housing objectives under the following headings:
- Supporting Housing Supply and Growth Management
- Developing Livable Complete Communities
- Enhancing Housing Choice
- Encouraging and Protecting Rental Housing
- Supporting Affordability
- Engagement and Collaboration
The draft policies also make changes to land use policies in Part D, Section 11 – Residential, and Section 12 – Mixed Use. These changes are being made to:
- Ensure the policies are coordinated with the new Section 7 – Housing
- Provide technical wording changes to reflect Provincial regulations
- Update land use permissions regarding lodging houses and additional needs housing
- Minor wording updates
Policies in Section 11 Residential that are intended to protect and enhance the character of existing Residential Areas are maintained in full.
New and revised monitoring policies and definitions are also proposed to be added to the Livable Oakville Plan.
Past public events and reports
A staff report and draft proposed Official Plan Amendment (OPA) was presented to Planning and Development Council at a statutory public meeting on January 19, 2026.
Review the staff report and draft OPA and view the public meeting notice provided in accordance with the Planning Act.
On online survey seeking input on the draft housing policies was provided for public engagement in the Fall of 2025. This survey closed on November 7, 2025. The survey received nearly 100 responses. Thank you for participating!
A summary of input received will be provided to Planning and Development Council at a future Statutory Public Meeting.
A staff report and draft Official Plan policies were presented to Planning and Development Council on September 8, 2025.
The draft policies consider and respond to provincial and regional planning documents, and are informed by the Town’s Housing Strategy and Action Plan, and completed Housing Needs Assessment.
News releases
September 9, 2025: Building insight into Oakville’s housing needs
- Planning Studies
-
- Active Development Applications
- Ward 1 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 2 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 3 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 4 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 5 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 6 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Ward 7 - Development and Site Plan Applications
- Urban Design
Contact
905-845-6601
planning@oakville.ca