Official Plan

The SDG Official Plan serves the County and six local municipalities. The Official Plan is partially under appeal.  Learn more about the status of the appeal below.

In Effect Official Plan

SDG 2018 Official Plan (PDF)

This version of the Official Plan includes Provincial modifications and indicates where a policy is under appeal (and therefore not in effect). Where a policy is under appeal the polices of the 2006 Official Plan (PDF) prevail.

Based on the Ontario Land Tribunal decisions dated February 15, 2022 (click this link to view the decision) and June 21, 2022  (click this link to view the decision) the 2018 Official Plan is now fully in effect for most of the United Counties. A consolidated version of Schedules A1-A6 including Official Plan Amendments will be posted online in the near future.

North Dundas

• Rural Schedule A1 (PDF)
• Winchester A1a (PDF)
• Chesterville A1b (PDF)

North Glengarry

• Rural Schedule A5 (PDF)
• Alexandria A5a (PDF)
• Maxville A5b (PDF)

North Stormont

• Rural Schedule A3 (PDF)
• Finch A3a (PDF)
• Crysler A3b (PDF)
• Moose Creek A3c (PDF)

South Dundas

• Rural Schedule A2 (PDF)
• Williamsburg A2a (PDF)
• Iroquois A2b (PDF)
• Morrisburg A2c (PDF)

South Glengarry

• Rural Schedule A6 (PDF)
• Glen Walter A6a (PDF)
• Green Valley A6b (PDF)
• Lancaster/South Lancaster A6c (PDF)

South Stormont

• Rural Schedule A4 (PDF)
• Long Sault A4a (PDF)
• St. Andrew's West A4b (PDF)
• Ingleside A4c (PDF)
• Newington A4d (PDF)
• Rosedale Terrace/Eamers Corners A4e (PDF)

Special Land Use Areas

• SLA1a - Winchester Employment Area (PDF)
• SLA2a - South Dundas (PDF)
• SLA4a - South Stormont (PDF)
• SLA4b - South Stormont - Long Sault Employment Area (PDF)
• SLA4c - South Stormont (PDF)
• SLA4d - South Stormont (PDF)
• SLA4e - South Stormont - Moulinette Island (PDF)
• SLA6a - South Glengarry - Bainsville Bay (PDF)

• Schedule B1 - Natural Hazards and Features
• Schedule B2 - Significant Woodlands
• Schedule B3 - Natural Heritage Systems
• Scheulde B4 - Source Water Protection
• Schedule B5 - Geology

OPA 1 – North Dundas (PDF)

OPA 2 – North Stormont (PDF)

OPA 3 – South Stormont (PDF)

OPA 4 – South Dundas (PDF)

OPA 5 – South Dundas (PDF)

OPA 6 – Housekeeping (PDF)

OPA 7 – South Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 8 – Housekeeping - Bedrock (PDF)

OPA 9 - North Stormont (PDF)

OPA 10- North Stormont (PDF)

OPA 11 - South Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 12 - North Dundas (PDF)

OPA 13 - Housekeeping - Minor Zoning Amendments (PDF)

OPA 14 - Housekeeping - Cannabis (PDF)

OPA 15 – North Dundas (PDF)

OPA 16 - North Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 17 - South Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 20 - Housekeeping (PDF)

OPA 21 - North Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 22 - South Glengarry (PDF)

OPA 23 - Major Open Space (PDF)

By-Law 5405 (PDF)

The SDG Official Plan was approved on February 4, 2018.

The Official Plan was approved with modifications by the Minister of Municipal Affairs on February 4, 2018. View the decision (PDF).

Please take a look at our webmap or Frequently Asked Questions page to locate your property and learn more about how the decision may have affected you; or view our Official Plan Appeal section below.

If you were not able to file an appeal but have concerns regarding the proposed changes you can also join our mailing list. Please

The proposed Official Plan as adopted by County Council can be found below. The Ministry provided modifications to the text (PDF) and six of the schedules (PDF).

County Official Plan - consolidated, in-effect (PDF)

The Proposed New County Schedules (PDF)

Pre-Hearing Maps (PDF)

The County identified and highlighted six main areas of interest during the Open Houses. Story boards (PDF) have been prepared on these changes.

View the presentation for the Open Houses (PDF).

SDG held a Public Meeting as per Section 17 and Section 21(1) of the Planning Act on Monday June 19. View the notice (PDF).

The County Official Plan sets out the vision for how SDG will grow to the year 2036. The Planning Act requires regular "check-ups" to ensure that the Official Plan is working to fulfill its vision. As part of this process we reviewed our designated areas of employment, natural features like woodlands and wetlands, and our agricultural resource lands. We have also made general updates around local food, active transportation, safe drinking water, and other legislative updates.

The Citizen's Guides prepared by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs provide general information on Official Plans, the Planning Act, and Municipal Plan Review:

Citizen's Guide to the Planning Act (PDF)

Citizen's Guide to Official Plans (PDF) 

Citizen's Guide to Plan Review (PDF)

The Planning Act requires the Official Plan Review to consider the employment land designations within the Counties. Staff performed a review of vacant employment lands, building permit records, and recent economic trends. Hemson Consulting was retained to provide a Population and Growth update and Employment Lands Review. This report updates and expands on the 2013 Hemson Population and Growth Projections report (PDF) which supported adjustments to 71 settlement area boundaries. The Employment Lands Report is summarized in a presentation made to County Council on January 25th, 2016.

Report 1: Updated Growth Forecasts (PDF) 

Report 2 and Presentation to Council: Employment Needs Analysis (PDF)

Agricultural Lands in the County are a protected through designation in the Official Plan. These lands are protected for their important economic, cultural, and environmental value. Lands are evaluated to determine if they are classified as agricultural. The factors include soil type and quality, suitability for specialty crops, sufficient area for on-going farming, presence of on-going farming, and absence of incompatible land uses.

Clarke Consulting reviewed the designated agricultural lands and recommended areas that should be changed to rural designation. The presentation to Council on January 25th, 2016 can be found below.

Report including maps and Presentation To Council: Agricultural Resource Lands Review (PDF)

Local Presentations: 

• Dundas Federation of Agriculture - June 1 2016 (PDF) 
• Stormont Federation of Agriculture - June 15 2016 (PDF) 
• Glengarry Federation of Agriculture - February 2017 (PDF)

SDG recently updated the County forest cover mapping as part of a partnership with United Counties of Prescott-Russell; United Counties of Leeds and Grenville; City of Ottawa; Raisin Region Conservation Authority; Ontario Woodlot Association; and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry; using 2014 aerial imagery. This forest cover mapping was used to create a significant woodlands map using criteria established by the Natural Heritage Reference Manual (PDF). This mapping is used to screen development applications to ensure that woodlands are protected.

The woodlands mapping is combined with other natural features such as wetlands, Areas of Natural Scientific Interest, waterbodies, and floodplains to create the County's Natural Heritage System. This system is identified within the Schedules of the proposed Official Plan and is protected through the Natural Heritage policies of our Plan.

Modifications and Appeal

The SDG Official Plan was approved by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs on February 4, 2018.

Read a copy of the decision (PDF).

Many residents were concerned about the changes made through modifications. This resource page is available for anyone interested in staying informed about the Official Plan appeal.

The Ministry's decision included a number of policy modifications and land designation (schedules) changes. This online map shows the rural and agricultural areas that were modified (you can search using civic numbers). You can also read this FAQ sheet (PDF) for more information on the schedule changes.

Local municipalities and 25 local residents filed a list of appeals (PDF)  - including a County appeal (PDF) - against some of the Ministry modifications. This type of appeal is heard by the Ontario Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (PDF).

Upcoming: Pre-Hearing Conference, December 17, 2018

The Tribunal has scheduled the first of two pre-hearing conferences, as well as distributing the relevant Notice including date and location (PDF). Pre-hearing conferences are used to organize parties, information, issues, in order to simplify the main hearing. The pre-hearing conferences also identify issues that may be mediated. Parties and participants can make motions and receive direction from the Tribunal member. The Tribunal generally does not hear evidence or submissions at a pre-hearing conference.

If you wish to be actively involved in the hearing, or if you filed an appeal, you must attend the pre-hearing conference. If you cannot attend, you must send an authorized representative who has written confirmation of authorization.

There are two options available for status at the hearing:

Party: Those who submitted appeals will receive party status at the pre-hearing. Parties are fully involved in the proceedings before the Tribunal, including filing submissions and presenting submissions at the hearing. They may also request costs, adjournments, or a review of the decision.

Participants: Participants have a more limited role in the appeal. They only provide submissions. They may also be asked questions on the content of their submissions. If you would like to request participant status, you must attend the first day of the hearing or pre-hearing conference and advise the Member that you would like to be added as a participant when the Member asks.

If you have any questions regarding the Official Plan modifications or appeal please contact Stephanie Morin, County Planning Technician.