Chatham-Kent Official Plan

​The Chatham-Kent Official Plan - Action Toward Sustainability sets out the objectives and policies to guide the short-term and long-term physical development of all lands within the Municipality.

Our policies reflect consideration of the following:

  • the planned allocation and distribution of different land uses, such as residential, commercial and industrial
  • means to control the development and use of land (such as zoning, a subdivision of land and site plan control)
  • the provision of municipal services and facilities such as roads, sewers and parks

Land Use Planning Is Important

Policies provide for orderly growth and development, and compatibility between the many different uses of land within the Municipality. While the objectives and policies in the Official Plan primarily relate to physical development, they also include objectives related to social, economic and environmental matters. These are implemented through policies related to such things as housing, residential intensification, the location of community facilities and open space.

​The Official Plan is composed of text and maps. The text portion of the Official Plan describes the objectives and policies for these various land uses. Its Land Use map indicates the general land use designations. A land use designation describes the predominant type of development planned for an area, such as residential, although certain other types of uses are also often permitted. Other maps identify flood plains and environmental features, and the recommended transportation network. ​The Official Plan is implemented by the Zoning By-Law, subdivision and site plan control, through the current and capital budgets and by other programs of the Municipality.

Chatham-Kent Official Plan - Action Toward Sustainability

Schedule A - Land Use:

Schedule B - Road Networks:

Schedule C - Natural Heritage & Hazard Features:

Schedule D: Well Head Protection & Intrinsic Susceptibility:

Schedule E - Land Use (Primary Urban Centres):

Schedule F: Sustainable Shoreline Strategy

Schedule G: Resource Deposits

Secondary Plans & Amendments (Unconsolidated):

Official Plan Amendments

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing defines an Official Plan amendment as a formal document that changes a municipality's official plan. There are three types of Official Plan amendments - those mandated through the Planning Act, those requested by members of the public and those initiated by the Municipality.  

Mandated Official Plan Amendments

Municipal Council, in accordance with the Planning Act, is required to review its Official Plan not less frequently than every five years after the plan comes into effect as an Official Plan, to ensure that it:

  • Conforms with provincial plans or does not conflict with them
  • Has regard to matters of provincial interest
  • Is consistent with policy statements

Any changes required to the Official Plan as a result of the above will be done through an Official Plan amendment or amendments.

Official Plan Amendment Applications

Additional amendments to the Official Plan are required from time to time to recognize new circumstances in the community and requests by property owners and developers. A pre-consultation meeting with municipal staff is required before making an application to amend the Official Plan.

Chatham-Kent's Official Plan Amendments

The Chatham-Kent Official Plan has been amended several times since coming into effect on January 14, 2009. Please contact Planning Services at 519-360-1998 to obtain copies of the Official Plan Amendments.