Picture Sooke: The Final Frame – Completing our Official Community Plan

Sooke is moving forward with finalizing its Official Community Plan (OCP), which will guide how Sooke grows and develops over the next 20 years.

About this project

Sooke is advancing its Official Community Plan (OCP) toward completion, building on the extensive work completed between 2020 and 2023. The project, which had been on pause since 2023, is resuming to incorporate previous community feedback and align with new provincial requirements under Bill 44: Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023.

Our goal is to deliver an OCP that reflects the values and priorities of our community – helping us make informed decisions that shape the future of Sooke in a way we can all envision together.

What is an OCP, and why is it important?

An Official Community Plan is a key document that guides and manages land use decisions within the District. The authority to establish an OCP is set out in the Local Government Act.

An OCP outlines a long-term vision for the community and provides policy direction on the fundamental elements that shape it, such as land use, transportation, housing, the environment, infrastructure, parks, agriculture, economic development, arts and culture, and climate action. It serves as an overarching framework that is implemented through the District’s plans, policies, and bylaws.

Developing an OCP is a collaborative community effort. It reflects the community’s collective vision for future growth and development. Community members, local committees, and other stakeholders help shape the OCP through meaningful and inclusive engagement.

Once adopted by Council, the OCP becomes an official bylaw that informs future decisions made by Council and staff. More information about our current OCP (adopted in 2010) can be found here.

Where this project began (2020-2022)

Work on the OCP began in 2020 and made significant progress through to 2022. More than 2,000 residents, youth, businesses, and First Nations partners were engaged to help establish a shared community vision and develop the draft OCP. This draft was presented at a Public Hearing in September 2022. In 2023 the process was paused.

This pause provided an opportunity to:

• Review additional community feedback on the draft OCP
• Consider new provincial housing legislation (Bill 44)
• Refresh the draft with updated data and clearer language

More information about past engagement and earlier phases of the project can be found here.

Where we are now (2023-present)

In 2023, the Province introduced new housing legislation (Bill 44) requiring communities like Sooke to update their Official Community Plans by the end of 2025. These updates must include land use policies that respond to housing needs identified in the District’s Housing Needs Report (updated in 2024).

At its January 27, 2025 meeting, Council directed staff to proceed with completing the OCP. Since then, staff have reviewed the 2022 draft and presented preliminary updates at the July 14, 2025 Regular Council Meeting. These refinements reflect community feedback received throughout 2022 and 2023.

The District will soon be inviting the community to review the revised draft and share their input as we move toward finalizing the OCP.