The City of Prince George kicked-off the Official Community Plan (OCP) Review in fall 2023. The existing OCP was adopted in 2011 and a lot has changed since that time.

April 16, 2025 update

At the special Council meeting on April 16, Council discussed the feedback received through the public hearing and approved a number of motions. Many of the motions direct staff to return reports to Council for consideration, which is expected later this spring. If significant amendments are made to the proposed bylaws, an additional public hearing will take place. Subscribe to receive public notices to stay in the loop: princegeorge.ca/subscribe.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on consequences and options addressing the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) for transparency and flexibility that includes:
    • Providing a clear and publicly accessible rationale for the delineation of the Urban Containment Boundary, including technical criteria (e.g., servicing limits, infrastructure capacity, walkability, land use compatibility).
    • Proposing a framework for periodic review and amendment of the UCB, tied to development triggers such as school closures, infrastructure lifecycle, or economic opportunity.
    • Ensuring the UCB is not interpreted as a binary “support development / do not support development” tool, but rather as a flexible guide to prioritize investment and planning focus—enabling context-sensitive decision-making where appropriate.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on consequences and options addressing the Urban Containment Boundary (UCB) for transparency and flexibility that includes conducting targeted engagement with affected stakeholders and landowners representing the properties of
    • 505 4th Avenue
    • 2913 Silvercrest Road
    • 2000 Central Street
    • Cranbrook Hill PID: 013-713-485
    • 4729 Shamrock Road

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the implications and options for shifting the identity of our community from a winter city to a year-round destination in policy section 10.0 in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No 9525, 2025.”.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council with additional directions to enhance safety by mitigating wildfires in the City of Prince George. This new work should include but not be limited to addressing advocating the planting of less flammable tree species in areas owned by the City of Prince George, along riparian zones and rivers, and Crown Land.

  • That Council REFERS the following motion to the Standing Committee on Finance and Audit: “That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on consequences and options regarding a city-wide infrastructure renewal strategy that includes:
    • Develop a comprehensive infrastructure renewal strategy for all neighbourhoods, including low-density and legacy areas outside growth priority zones.
    • Explore funding models (e.g., senior government grants, cost-sharing mechanisms) for replacing aging infrastructure from the 1960s–70s era.
    • Where appropriate, assess options for right-sizing, looping, or selectively decommissioning underused systems while maintaining service equity.”

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the implications and options for amending the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025” by:
    • adding spaces to help promote food security as a priority in Section 14.0;
    • adding the words “intent to harvest” immediately following the words “and vegetation” in Section 16.1.4 (c); and
    • adding policies 7.3.7 through to 7.3.15 from the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 8383, 2011” within Sections 7.3.3 and 7.3.4 of Bylaw No. 9525, 2025.”.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report on amending the language of section 7.2.2 d) in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025” by replacing the word ‘shall’ with the word ‘must.’

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report on amending the language of section 15.1.3 in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025” by deleting the existing language and replacing with ‘Climate change adaptation and mitigation minimizes negative climate-related impacts on human safety, health, and wellbeing.’

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the consequences and options of removing Moore’s Meadow in its entirety, including the city-owned property current zoned AF: Agriculture and Forestry at the north end of the meadow. from the Urban Containment Boundary on Schedule 1: Growth Management in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025.”

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the consequences and options for amending Section 18.7(e) in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025, by adding the words “and in underserved areas” immediately following the words “Growth Priority Areas”.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on consequences and options regarding the incorporation of strategic flexibility for development outside the Urban Containment Boundary which includes:
    • Creating policy and evaluation criteria for strategic exceptions to the UCB, where developments offer public benefit or economic value (e.g., major employers, affordable housing, neighbourhood stabilization).
    • Requiring a Comprehensive Neighbourhood Plan for any such proposals, ensuring coordination with infrastructure, environment, and transportation planning.
    • Identifying and mapping “Potential Future Urban Reserve Areas” to allow flexible growth scenarios beyond the current planning horizon (e.g., post-2040), without immediate servicing obligations.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to incorporate the following into the Corporate Workplan following adoption of the City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025 regarding communications and accessibility of the Official Community Plan which includes:
    • Producing a plain-language summary and visual guide to accompany the OCP, making key concepts, land designations, and planning impacts accessible to the public.
    • Ensuring the Urban Containment Boundary and land use maps are clearly explained as planning tools, not rigid development limits.
    • Exploring an interactive, digital version of the OCP with layered mapping, search tools, and dynamic updates.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the implications and options for including access to public washrooms where possible when considering facilities as outlined in Section 14 and specifically 14.1.2 in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No 9525, 2025.”.

  • That Council DIRECTS administration to include policy language in Section 16.1.4 that clearly supports the protection of urban tree canopy and the equitable replacement of significant tree loss on both private and public development sites. Policy direction should consider the potential for mandatory replanting, developer contributions toward reforestation or urban greening initiatives, and other scalable offset mechanisms that provide benefit within the vicinity of the removal. This direction should align with the intent and application of Tree Protection Bylaw No. 6343 and inform future implementation tools.

  • That Council DIRECTS administration to include policy language in Section 9.1.6 that supports the growth of local innovation and creative sector development. including opportunities related to technology start-ups, clean tech, entrepreneurial work, remote/freelance/independent work infrastructure, and creative industries, to reflect Prince George’s potential in emerging economic sectors. This direction should reflect Prince George’s growing potential in emerging sectors, reinforce Council’s commitment to youth and young family retention, economic diversification, and long-term community resilience and reflecting our status as a recognized College and University centre.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the implications and options for incorporating a strategy for large regional, provincial, national, and international events as a tool for driving economic development in policy section 9.0 in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No 9525, 2025.”

  • To ensure that the Prince George Airport Authority’s role is more formally recognized and that the development around the airport reflects both the City's vision for growth and the operational needs of the airport, which is vital for the region’s future development, that Council DIRECTS Administration to incorporate the following in the City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025:
    • The Prince George Airport (YXS) is a member of the National Airports System (NAS), is regulated under federal laws and governed by the Prince George Airport Authority (PGAA). The transfer agreement and ground lease signed between Transport Canada and the PGAA grant the Authority the responsibility for operation, management and development of YXS. With respect to land development, PGAA approves a Land Use Plan and Master Plan for land included in the OCP's airport land use designation.
    • Airport expansion and aircraft and airport associated facilities are to be confined primarily to the airport land use designation. Non-airport related uses are to be discouraged in this area.
    • Planning in and around the airport should occur in partnership between the City and the Prince George Airport Authority.
    • OCP implementation through municipal plans and by-laws (as defined in 19.1.4 ) for the airport land use designation will be done in partnership with the PGAA.
    • The City recognizes the importance of the Aeronautics Act and should endeavor to advise land use applicants of the Airport Master Plan recommendations.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the consequences and options for amending the indicator in Goal 4 of Section 19.1.3(a) in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025, by adding a business diversification snapshot from Statistics Canada and amending the indicator in Goal 1 of Section 19.1.3(a) by adding the BC Division’s Vital Statistics estimates.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council outlining the consequences and options for amending Section 21.0 in the “City of Prince George Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025, by adding a definition for the terms “land use designation” and “zoning”.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report outlining implications and options for amending Section 9.0 'Economic Development' of the Official Community Plan to include:
    • Positioning Prince George as a gateway to the north and Continental America and Asia, boosting Canada’s economic resilience via partnerships, per Strategic Plan 2023-2026 (p. 1);
    • Supporting forestry, energy development and corridors, mining and logistics with targeted growth partnerships;
    • Realizing Prince George Airport as an Asia-Pacific intermodal trade hub with federal/provincial support;
    • Business inquiries representing over $5 million required to be presented to Mayor and Council;
    • Residential development inquiries over 99 homes required to be presented to Mayor and Council.
    • Take every opportunity to develop consequential relationships that build the northern economy with our regional district, municipal and First Nation neighbours.

  • That Council DIRECTS administration to include policy language in Section 8.1.2 that strengthens support for aging in place by encouraging neighbourhood planning and housing design that accommodates residents across all stages of life. This should include a variety of ground-oriented and accessible housing types such as single-level homes, adaptable units, and secondary suites, as well as proximity to transit, healthcare, and essential services to ensure livability and independence for older adults and those with mobility challenges.

  • That Council DIRECTS administration to include policy language that supports Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles in the planning of parks, public spaces, and new developments including lighting, and design features that enhance real and perceived safety.

  • That Council DIRECTS administration to include policy language in Section 9.1.4 that supports the modernization or adaptive re-use and redevelopment of under utilized commercial properties, such as dated or under occupied retail plazas, oversized surface parking areas, or low-density commercial corridors into mixed use developments that integrate housing, local services, and employment opportunities.

  • That Council DEFERS consideration of the following motion to 2028: “That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on consequences and options regarding reconciliation and indigenous inclusion in planning which includes:
    • Embedding meaningful partnership with the Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and urban Indigenous organizations in the OCP.
    • Including Indigenous land-use practices, housing needs, and stewardship values in relevant planning policies and environmental overlays.
    • Supporting opportunities for Indigenous-led development, cultural recognition, and economic collaboration.”

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on the implications and options to amend the Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 9525, 2025 or Zoning Bylaw No. 7850, 2007, that further diversifies land use within the Carter Light Industrial area.

  • That Council DEFERS consideration of the following motion to 2028: Due to the current political upheaval and the need to strengthen the Canadian resilience, self-reliance and economy and recognizing our part in the future prosperity of our country, that Council DIRECTS Administration to return with a vision statement that is more aspirational, including the concepts:
    • Confluence of the North and the Continents of Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
    • Prince George is a thriving, multi-centred northern capital where resilient neighbourhoods, healthy ecosystems, and strong infrastructure support a high quality of life for all. Embracing it’s history, climate and community diversity, the City builds on its legacy as a regional hub-connecting urban and rural, industry and innovation, nature and neighbourhoods - while growing sustainably, strengthening local identity, and preparing for future generations. Through collaboration with our community and regional partners, we lead northern economic growth and international trade.

  • That Council DIRECTS Administration to return a report to Council on the implications and options to amend the OCP Bylaw 9525, 2025 that redesignates the land east of Queensway bound by 1st Avenue and Lower Patricia Boulevard from Light Industrial to new designation Light Industrial/Transition on Schedule 12: Future Land Use.

Frequently asked questions

Click each question to learn more about the OCP, greenspaces, food security, the urban containment boundary, and more.

About the OCP

How do I get involved in the OCP review?

Read the draft OCP bylaw

The final working copy of the plan was presented to Council and the first reading was approved on February 3, 2025. The bylaw is meant to be read in its entirety and no individual policy is intended to stand on its own. The OCP policies provide a comprehensive framework for moving Prince George towards its long-term vision.

The Land Use Plan (Schedule 12 in the draft OCP) is a powerful tool, as it shows where different land uses should be directed across the city. The Land Use Plan is meant to be read alongside the OCP policies in their entirety. Land use designations are generalized in OCPs, with more specific direction provided in Zoning Bylaws.

Watch past Council discussions

April 16, 2025 special council meeting:

April 9, 2025 reconvened public hearing:

March 19, 2025 public hearing:

February 28, 2025 second reading:

February 3, 2025 first reading:

Read the supporting documents

October 2024 draft plan

The draft OCP was presented to the public for feedback in phase four of the review project in the fall of 2024. The results of this engagement are available in the What We Heard Report: Phase 4 document. The draft plan was refined based on feedback from the community and the updated document was presented to Council on February 3, 2025.

Fill out a survey

UPDATE: The survey is now closed. Thank you to all who participated.

Does the draft plan accurately capture your wishes for the future? Help us refine and finalize the plan by sharing your thoughts.