FAQs

An Official Plan describes policies on how land in the community should be used. It is prepared with input from the public and helps to ensure that planning and development meets the community’s needs now and in the future.

The County’s Official Plan guides how the municipality will grow and develop over the next 25 years. Council adopted the current Official Plan on February 24, 2021; the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing gave final approval on July 7, 2021.

In the Official Plan, lands within the Shore Lands designation are defined as representing a major landscape feature in the municipality that shall be made accessible to both public and private users. 

Shore Lands are also a major tourist attraction as they provide the resource base for both passive and active recreational activities. 

The Official Plan states the intention to require a stewardship ethic for Shore Lands that will include landscape naturalization, guaranteed on-site retention and treatment of pollutants, and development that is innovative and protects and conserves the natural environment.

The following uses may be permitted within the Shore Landes designation:

• Low density residential uses, limited to single-detached dwellings which may include second units and garden suites
• Private and public open spaces and Open Space
• Existing agricultural, agriculture-related and on-farm diversified uses and expansions thereof
• Public uses and public and private utilities

In addition, commercial uses may be permitted within this designation, including:

• Resort commercial uses which provide accommodation and amenities for the vacationing public
• Resort institutional uses which provide camping and resort type accommodation
• Tourist commercial businesses catering to the day-to-day and recreational needs of tourists (such as a convenience store, spa, golf course, mini-golf course, driving range, or eating establishment)
• Marine commercial uses which provide facilities and amenities such as docking, boat storage, fuel, service and repairs, and commercial fishing and associated businesses
• Small scale businesses and home businesses that provide accommodation, goods and services
• Water-related businesses
• Tent, trailer and recreational vehicle parks
• Accessory residential uses for owner/operators and associated staff