Official Community Plan (OCP)

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The City of Fernie is taking meaningful steps to shape our community's future through two key planning initiatives:

  1. The creation of a new Housing Needs Report (HNR); and

  1. A full review and update of the 2014 Official Community Plan (OCP).

These projects are all about making Fernie the best it can be – now, and for generations to come - and we want your voice to help guide the way.

LATEST NEWS

Round 1 Engagement What We Heard Report
The Round 1 What We Heard Report is now available! It summarizes the feedback gathered from Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Community Partners, the open house, and the online survey. See what we heard HERE.

Housing Needs Report
The final Fernie Housing Needs Report was approved by Council on November 25, 2025 and is now available for download. You can view final report here.

Interim OCP Amendment

At the November 25 Meeting, Council gave first and second reading to an interim Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment, to incorporate the findings of the 2025 Housing Needs Report (HNR) into the current OCP. This is the first step in the larger OCP re-write and brings the City into compliance with new Provincial requirements. You can read the Final Housing Needs report

A Public Hearing is scheduled for December 16, 2025, prior to consideration of third reading and adoption of the amendment.

Review the Public Notice and proposed amendments here.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

These planning initiatives include two parts, each playing an important role in planning for Fernie’s future.

Part 1) Housing Needs Report (HNR) + Interim OCP Update

The HNR is a provincially required, research-based report that looks at Fernie’s housing challenges using demographic, economic, and market data. It identifies the kinds of housing our community needs today and in the future - and helps us plan accordingly. The core methodology for calculating housing needs is provided by the Province and must be followed.

You can view the Draft Fernie Housing Needs Report here.

As required by B.C.’s Local Government Act, the findings will be integrated into the current OCP through an interim amendment by December 2025.

Part 2) Official Community Plan (OCP) Review and Update

Fernie’s OCP is a long-range plan that sets out our vision, policies, and priorities for land use, housing, environment, transportation, infrastructure, and more. The OCP is the guiding document that helps Council and City staff make decisions that shape how Fernie grows, develops, and evolves.

Our current OCP was adopted in 2014. With over a decade of growth and change since then, it’s time for a comprehensive update. This update includes technical analysis, refreshed policy direction, and a renewed community vision.

PROJECT TIMELINE


YOUR VOICE MATTERS

Community input is critical to creating a plan that reflects Fernie’s values and priorities. Whether you’re a long-time resident, business owner, parent, senior, youth, or newcomer — your voice matters.

What did we hear in Round 1 Engagement?

In Round 1, we asked you to tell us what matters most to you and provide input on key topics like housing, the economy, tourism, recreation, and more. You also shared your experiences with housing in Fernie to help us refine and finalize the HNR and interim OCP amendment.

We have completed a What We Heard Report to share the findings of Round 1 engagement, including feedback gathered from Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Community Partners, the open house, and the online survey.

View the What We Heard Report HERE


WHAT’S NEXT?

Interim OCP Amendment
Findings from the Housing Needs Report will be incorporated into the current OCP through an interim amendment, which will go to a public hearing of Council on December 16, 2025. Learn how to participate HERE (link to: https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/city/meeting-agendas-minutes/participate-in-council-meetings.html).

Round 2 Engagement

The project team will be back out in the community in spring 2026 to share and collect input on the first draft of the OCP. Stay tuned for details!

STAY CONNECTED

We’ll be updating this page regularly with new opportunities to get involved, survey links, and reports.

Sign up for the City Connect newsletter to stay in the loop.

Have a question? Reach out to the project team at ocp@fernie.ca.


The City of Fernie is taking meaningful steps to shape our community's future through two key planning initiatives:

  1. The creation of a new Housing Needs Report (HNR); and

  1. A full review and update of the 2014 Official Community Plan (OCP).

These projects are all about making Fernie the best it can be – now, and for generations to come - and we want your voice to help guide the way.

LATEST NEWS

Round 1 Engagement What We Heard Report
The Round 1 What We Heard Report is now available! It summarizes the feedback gathered from Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Community Partners, the open house, and the online survey. See what we heard HERE.

Housing Needs Report
The final Fernie Housing Needs Report was approved by Council on November 25, 2025 and is now available for download. You can view final report here.

Interim OCP Amendment

At the November 25 Meeting, Council gave first and second reading to an interim Official Community Plan (OCP) amendment, to incorporate the findings of the 2025 Housing Needs Report (HNR) into the current OCP. This is the first step in the larger OCP re-write and brings the City into compliance with new Provincial requirements. You can read the Final Housing Needs report

A Public Hearing is scheduled for December 16, 2025, prior to consideration of third reading and adoption of the amendment.

Review the Public Notice and proposed amendments here.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

These planning initiatives include two parts, each playing an important role in planning for Fernie’s future.

Part 1) Housing Needs Report (HNR) + Interim OCP Update

The HNR is a provincially required, research-based report that looks at Fernie’s housing challenges using demographic, economic, and market data. It identifies the kinds of housing our community needs today and in the future - and helps us plan accordingly. The core methodology for calculating housing needs is provided by the Province and must be followed.

You can view the Draft Fernie Housing Needs Report here.

As required by B.C.’s Local Government Act, the findings will be integrated into the current OCP through an interim amendment by December 2025.

Part 2) Official Community Plan (OCP) Review and Update

Fernie’s OCP is a long-range plan that sets out our vision, policies, and priorities for land use, housing, environment, transportation, infrastructure, and more. The OCP is the guiding document that helps Council and City staff make decisions that shape how Fernie grows, develops, and evolves.

Our current OCP was adopted in 2014. With over a decade of growth and change since then, it’s time for a comprehensive update. This update includes technical analysis, refreshed policy direction, and a renewed community vision.

PROJECT TIMELINE


YOUR VOICE MATTERS

Community input is critical to creating a plan that reflects Fernie’s values and priorities. Whether you’re a long-time resident, business owner, parent, senior, youth, or newcomer — your voice matters.

What did we hear in Round 1 Engagement?

In Round 1, we asked you to tell us what matters most to you and provide input on key topics like housing, the economy, tourism, recreation, and more. You also shared your experiences with housing in Fernie to help us refine and finalize the HNR and interim OCP amendment.

We have completed a What We Heard Report to share the findings of Round 1 engagement, including feedback gathered from Council, City staff, the OCP Task Force, Community Partners, the open house, and the online survey.

View the What We Heard Report HERE


WHAT’S NEXT?

Interim OCP Amendment
Findings from the Housing Needs Report will be incorporated into the current OCP through an interim amendment, which will go to a public hearing of Council on December 16, 2025. Learn how to participate HERE (link to: https://www.fernie.ca/EN/main/city/meeting-agendas-minutes/participate-in-council-meetings.html).

Round 2 Engagement

The project team will be back out in the community in spring 2026 to share and collect input on the first draft of the OCP. Stay tuned for details!

STAY CONNECTED

We’ll be updating this page regularly with new opportunities to get involved, survey links, and reports.

Sign up for the City Connect newsletter to stay in the loop.

Have a question? Reach out to the project team at ocp@fernie.ca.


Page last updated: 15 Dec 2025, 02:23 PM