Official Plan
The Northumberland County Official Plan establishes land use categories and policies to manage growth and protect resources within the County until the year 2034.
Land use categories are displayed on maps. The policies describe our goals for these categories and the types of information we require to evaluate land use changes.
Land use categories in the Official Plan include:
- Urban Areas
- Rural Areas
- Rural Settlement Areas
- Agricultural Areas
- Oak Ridges Moraine
- Environmental Protection Areas
These land use categories are further detailed through the official plans of each of our seven member municipalities.
Official Plan update
We are updating the Northumberland County Official Plan to guide growth and development in Northumberland over the next 30 years.
For more information about this project and to sign up for our email distribution list to receive updates about the project and upcoming public consultations, please visit Join In Northumberland.
Natural Heritage System
Northumberland County is developing a Natural Heritage System to manage community growth in a way that preserves and enhances our natural environment for future generations. Required by the province, this plan may include areas such as wetlands, woodlands and watercourses that have been identified as significant natural features that we must protect and enhance. Once finalized, the Natural Heritage System Plan will result in updates to the Northumberland County Official Plan policies.