Community Planning involves reviewing development proposals and using planning tools to help balance social and economic interests while preserving and protecting the natural assets of our community.

The Community Planning Office is responsible for providing a full range of land use planning services on behalf of the County and the eight area municipalities that comprise the County.

The services provided by this office include:

• Developing and maintaining the Official Plan and Area Municipal Zoning By-laws;
• Responding to development inquiries;
• Providing pre-consultation and development review services for all Planning Act applications;
• Undertaking growth forecasts and maintaining growth land inventories;
• Acquiring and maintaining various planning related data sets and statistics;
• Developing mapping and other planning related resource materials;

The office also assists the area municipalities in undertaking various planning related projects and programs, such as the development of Community Improvement Plans and Urban Design guidelines.

Contact Us for a list of planners responsible for each area.

Woodstock/Norwich boundary adjustment
The City of Woodstock and Norwich Township are considering a boundary adjustment within Oxford County. The lands are proposed to be annexed from the township to the city, effective January 1, 2018. More information.

2019 Oxford Stewardship Award

Oxford’s annual award recognizes landowners’ efforts to preserve and enhance the County’s natural features and areas. The 2019 award winners, Jeff and Diane Tribe, were announced at County Council's February 26 meeting. More information.

Community planning provides the framework for local politicians, citizens and other stakeholders to play a role in creating communities that contribute to residents’ overall quality of life.  Municipalities establish the vision, goals and direction for the future development of their communities through the policies of the Official Plan, which must be consistent with Provincial land use policy direction. (e.g. the Provincial Policy Statement). Community planning in Ontario strives for development that sustains the financial well-being of municipalities over of the long term; accommodates an appropriate range and mix of residential, employment, institutional, recreational and other uses to meet long term needs; avoids development that may cause environmental or public safety concerns; and minimizes land consumption and servicing costs.

Most land use decisions also involve consultation with the public, agencies and other stakeholders to obtain their input before a final decision on a matter is made.