Official Plan
Official Plan Review Underway
Beginning in December 2022, the Municipality of Trent Hills began the process of creating a new Official Plan. The Municipality of Trent Hills is pleased to release Discussion Papers prepared in support of the new Official Plan creation.
Using the findings and feedback received through background research, best practices review, and the Community Scan digital survey, Fotenn consultants have prepared a series of discussion papers outlining current conditions and policy options for the Municipality of Trent Hills.
Each discussion paper will outline the policy framework in the current Official Plan (as applicable), provincial and County policy direction, opportunities and challenges, and proposed policy approaches.
Discussion Papers
Upcoming Public Engagement
A public engagement session for members of the community will be scheduled in the coming months, centred on the findings of the Discussion Papers in key policy areas, including background and recommendations. Attendees will be invited to ask questions and provide input on the land use planning issues facing their community. The Public Engagement Session will be advertised both on the Municipal website and via social media.
Current Official Plan Information
Trent Hills Official Plan - August 2025 Office Consolidation
The Official Plan for the Municipality of Trent Hills sets out the vision for land use and helps to sustain our economy while protecting the environment and the heritage characteristics of our area. The Plan provides direction to maintaining the quality of life that we offer to all our residents.
The Office Consolidation is the most recent version of the Official Plan, containing the below amendments within a single document. Improvements to navigation and formatting have also been made.
View our Official Plan Schedules.
Proposed Official Plan Amendment #13
The Municipality of Trent Hills has proposed a new amendment to the Official Plan in order support the creation of smaller farm parcels within the Prime Agricultural Area. Under specific circumstances, the amendment would allow the creation of an additional farm parcel below the size requirements of 40 hectares/100 acres. The intent is to provide support for succession planning, staged takeover of farming operations, or to provide a footing for those wishing to start farming but may not have income to takeover a large, consolidated farm parcel.
The amendment also includes several minor housekeeping updates to other Prime Agricultural Area policies (such as adding in on-farm diversified uses as a permitted use), and to the consent section of the Rural Policy Area (namely moving surplus farm dwellings from this section).
Public Hearings for the amendment will be held on November 4th and December 2nd, 2025.
Details of the proposed amendment, as well as supporting policies and research can be found in the following draft amendment: Trent Hills Official Plan Amendment No. 13 Smaller Agricultural Parcels
Amendments
See Official Plan past amendments:
- Original Trent Hills Official Plan
- Official Plan Amendment #2
- Official Plan Amendment #3
- Official Plan Amendment #4 (under appeal)
- Official Plan Amendment #5
- Official Plan Amendment #9
Official Plan Amendment No. 5 sets out changes that will bring the Plan into conformity with the Places to Grow Act. The changes are based on the findings of the Northumberland County Growth Management Strategy completed in 2009.
Planning Department Contact Information
Land Acknowledgement
We recognize the traditional keepers of this land and, specifically our neighbours of the Alderville First Nation, with a formal territorial acknowledgement.
Welcome to the Gunshot Treaty Lands of 1788. It is on these lands and on the shores of the big lake, the Mississauga Anishinabeg met with the Crown to facilitate the opening of these lands for
settlement.
Let us be reminded of the responsibility we all have in making sure that we respect these lands and waters that give us life and sustain our livelihoods.