County Official Plan
What’s on this page?
Overview
The County of Lennox and Addington Official Plan (OP) sets the land use and planning framework for local Official Plans and decision-making. Its policies are broad and meant to guide local Townships in creating detailed policies in their own Official Plans. The County OP applies to all types of development in the County. These types of policies are considered necessary to promote orderly growth and compatibility among land uses. Lennox & Addington County Council adopted the first County Official Plan on September 30, 2015. The Official Plan was created based on a requirement from the Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. The Official Plan recently underwent an update to ensure conformity to Provincial Policies and remain current. The updated Official Plan was adopted by Council in 2026.
Local Township Policies
The County Official Plan provides broad, upper-tier planning policies that guide growth and land use across all of Lennox and Addington, while each Township Official Plan includes more detailed, local policies tailored to the specific needs and context of that individual municipality.
Loyalist Township, the Town of Greater Napanee, Stone Mills Township and the Township of Addington Highlands have their own Official Plans and are responsible for planning applications. Please visit the respective websites for information on their policies and to submit an application.
What is an Official Plan?
An Official Plan consists of goals, objectives and policies to guide development and meet the physical, social and economic needs of the community.
The main purpose of an Official Plan at the County level is to provide general direction and guidance on a broad basis by establishing an upper tier policy framework that:
a) Provides guidance to local municipalities in the preparation of local Official Plans, Official Plan Amendments and Zoning By-Laws;
b) Implement the Provincial Planning Statement at the County level;
c) Facilitates coordination and cooperation amongst the local municipalities and the County on planning and development issues that transcent municipal boundaries; and,
d) Makes sure growth and development needs are met and co-ordinated between the County and the local municipalities.
The County of Lennox & Addington Official Plan
All planning decisions in the County must conform to the County Official Plan. The plan is amended from time to time to reflect changes in provincial regulations and to ensure the document continues to reflect the needs of the region.
The County is the approval authority for Plans of Subdivision/Condominium in Addington Highlands, Official Plan Amendments in Stone Mills and Addington Highlands and is also responsible for approving Township Official Plans. MMAH is the approval authority for the County Official Plan and amendments.
You can find the current County Official Plan documents below.
County of Lennox and Addington Official Plan
Official Plan Schedules:
Appendix A: Petroleum Resources and Areas of Fire Risk
Schedule B1: Selected Natural Heritage Features and Areas in NH1 Designation and NH2 Overlay
Schedule B2: Other Natural Heritage Features and Areas and Supporting Features
Schedule B3: Enhancement Areas and Linkages
Schedule C: Resource Areas, Constraint Areas and Waste Management
The County of Lennox and Addington Plan was updated in 2026
Recent Provincial Policy changes as well as the need to plan for the changing needs of residents are key drivers for undertaking the process to review and update the County of Lennox & Addington Official Plan.
The purpose of the update was to:
- update the County’s population and employment forecasts to the year 2051 to reflect current provincial planning direction and anticipated growth trends;
- revise growth allocations among the local municipalities to align with updated forecasts and support coordinated and sustainable settlement area development;
- establish a Natural Heritage System and incorporate updated natural heritage policies to support the long-term protection, restoration, and management of significant natural features and ecological functions;
- update policies throughout the Official Plan to ensure consistency with the Provincial Planning Statement, 2024; and
- implement minor structural, organizational, and housekeeping amendments to Section A of the Official Plan to improve clarity and usability.
Background Information and Reports
Throughout the development of the new Official Plan, the following information, reports and materials have been made available.
These two studies help guide the policies of the updated Official Plan.
- Natural Heritage System (NHS) Study
- Growth Analysis and Study
An Open House and Public Meeting were held in October 2025. Please find below the public notice.
There were several staff reports and presentations provided to County Council. For more information or to read these materials please contact planningclerk@lennox-addington.on.ca.
Previous Version of County Official Plan
Older Version of County Official Plan will remain public until the 2026 is Approved by MMAH
County of Lennox and Addington Official Plan Feb 2018
Schedule A – Land Use: February 18, 2018
Schedule B – Selected Natural Heritage Features and Areas: February 18, 2018
Schedule C – Resource Areas, Constraint Areas and Waste Management: February 18, 2018
Schedule D – Transportation: February 18, 2018
Official Plan Interactive Map
This interactive map viewer presents to First Draft of the County of Lennox and Addington’s new proposed Official Plan. These official plan designations currently have no legal implications, as they are for engagement and discussion purposes only.
Interactive Map Interpretation and Guidance
Each map in the map viewer corresponds to a different section of the official plan, called a schedule, with topics such as land use and natural heritage.
Other Map Elements provide context on the County’s boundaries and important transportation routes.
Help Document for Interactive Map
If you need help using the interactive map, please use the resource below:
