Plans & Strategies | City of Delta

In consultation with the community, Delta has adopted and continues to develop policies and regulations that foster sustainable growth and development that provides a variety of housing choices, employment opportunities, and amenities for residents and visitors alike. Delta's policies and regulations are intended to address significant community issues including housing, agriculture, accessibility, and climate action.

Delta is required by law to complete a housing needs assessment every five years. Delta’s Housing Needs Assessment was completed in February 2020. It draws on more than 50 datasets from the Census, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, BC Assessment, BC Housing, and local real estate boards to provide a quantitative overview of the housing landscape. To supplement these findings, staff undertook a comprehensive community engagement program that saw more than 1,600 touchpoints with community members. The resulting document describes current and anticipated housing needs in Delta and was used to create the Housing Action Plan. For more information, please visit Let's Talk Delta.
The Housing Action Plan sets out eight strategies to address the needs identified in the Housing Needs Assessment. The Plan reflects Delta’s commitment to taking action on housing over the next five years and was adopted by Council in November 2021. It guides policy and decision-making to address current and anticipated housing needs. For more information, please visit Let's Talk Delta.
The Tenant Relocation Policy and Rental Stock Protection Policy work in tandem to help protect renter households. The Tenant Relocation Policy requires developers to compensate tenants above and beyond what is required by the Residential Tenancy Act when rezoning and redeveloping a multi-family rental building. Through the policy, tenants are eligible to receive help finding a new home, financial compensation, and a discounted rent or sales price on units in the new development should they wish to return. The Rental Stock Protection Policy requires no net loss of purpose-built rental units as a result of redevelopment and will help protect the supply of rental housing in the City. Both policies were approved by Council on July 24, 2023.
The City of Delta's Accessibility Plan was adopted by Council on June 19, 2023. It was developed in consultation with the City’s Mobility and Accessibility Committee, with additional input from the Delta Police Department and Delta School District. It includes 34 actions that address the six principles in the Accessible British Columbia Act of inclusion, adaptability, diversity, collaboration, self-determination, and universal design. The Mobility and Accessibility Committee endorsed the Plan at its May 4, 2023 meeting and it remains a standing item on the Committee’s agenda, to be reviewed at updated at least once every three years. The Plan will help staff continue ongoing efforts to enhance accessibility and provide support for people with disabilities throughout the community.
To provide feedback on the Accessibility Plan, please contact Emily Gray, Community Planner at egray@delta.ca or 604 952-3601.
The Agricultural Plan aims to support Delta's agricultural sector by uncovering practical solutions to challenges and identify opportunities to strengthen the long-term viability of local agriculture. The Plan provides an overview of Delta’s agriculture sector, identifies emerging issues and opportunities, and recommends innovative best practices with a focus on action items within the City’s jurisdiction. The Plan was recently updated and was adopted by Council on July 24, 2023. For more information on the update process, please visit Let's Talk Delta.
Delta’s Agriculture (A1) zone is currently being updated to align the City’s zoning regulations with current provincial legislation. For more information, see: Agriculture (A1) Zone Update | Let's Talk Delta.
The Heritage Strategy provides the community with an effective, sustainable and realistic plan to encourage the conservation and long-term viability of community heritage resources. Planning tools such as Heritage Conservation Areas and Heritage Revitalization Agreements can be used to incentivize protection and restoration of heritage properties. More information is available on the Heritage Conservation & Protection page. Delta also maintains a fund to support heritage conservation and encourage the retention and maintenance of heritage properties through Heritage Conservation Grants.
Delta works to integrate policies for positive climate action across all plans and strategies. Delta is a member of Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI), a global leader in sustainability and the largest international association of local, regional and national government organizations in the world. Delta was one of three cities in Canada chosen by ICLEI Canada to participate in a pilot adaptation planning tool kit study for communities. Over the next several years, we will work with ICLEI Canada to address corporate and community adaptation issues in Delta. For more information on climate action in Delta, see Climate Action.

Official Community Plan & Regional Growth Strategy

Delta's Official Community Plan (OCP) contains long-term objectives and policies that guide decision-making regarding land use, development, services, amenities and infrastructure. The OCP also establishes development permit areas and heritage conservation areas. The OCP is both a set of policies that describe the long-term vision of the City and a bylaw itself, with which all growth and development must be consistent.

Delta's OCP is guided by Metro Vancouver's Regional Growth Strategy which represents a collective vision for the region related to housing and development, the local economy, environment and transportation infrastructure.

The City has completed another step in the process to update the OCP. Following a Public Hearing on April 22, 2024, Delta Council has given third reading to the new OCP Bylaw.

With the third reading complete, the OCP Bylaw will now undergo statutory reviews by the Agricultural Land Commission and Metro Vancouver. The outcomes of these reviews will determine whether the Council proceeds with adopting the bylaw. Although there are still a few steps left in the adoption process, you are encouraged to review Delta's OCP.

Neighbourhood-level & Area Planning

Certain neighbourhoods and areas have additional planning policies that apply:

- East Ladner Area Plan (Schedule B.1 of Official Community Plan)
- Riverside Area Plan (Schedule B.2 of Official Community Plan)
- Ladner Area Plan (Schedule B.3 of Official Community Plan)
- North Delta Area Plan (Schedule C.1 of Official Community Plan)
- Recommendations Report by the Mayor's Task Force for Scott Road
- Development of zoning options for Royal York Neighbourhood View Protection (currently underway)
- Tsawwassen Area Plan (Schedule D.1 of Official Community Plan)
- MK Delta Lands Industrial Park
- Parkwood Industrial Estates

Community Amenity Contributions

The Parks, Recreation & Culture Amenity Contributions Policy applies a reasonable, predictable and transparent approach to obtaining contributions from new development for community amenities in Delta.