Planning sets the foundation for how our city grows and evolves. It guides land use, zoning, and long-term development to create a well-balanced, sustainable, and vibrant St. John’s.
Municipal Plan
Envision St. John’s (and appendices) is the city’s guiding document for land use and growth. It outlines how we develop residential, commercial, and public spaces while maintaining St. John’s unique character. It reflects the directions of Council, the comments of the public and the efforts of City staff. The input of many interested citizens, community groups, property owners and businesses helped to shape the plan.
These documents are enabled by the Newfoundland and Labrador Urban and Rural Planning Act, 2000.
Key themes
The municipal plan has five key themes.
Valuing environmental systems
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- protecting the city's river and wetland systems
- promoting a network of natural corridors
- preparing for the impacts of climate change
- protecting agricultural areas
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Healthy neighbourhoods
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- create healthy, walkable neighbourhoods with access to local services
- find greater mix of uses and higher density residential development
- maintain the essential character of neighbourhoods while allowing appropriate growth and development
- identify ways to improve the built environment for better mobility, access to goods and services, open space, employment, and opportunities to increase the assortment of housing
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A strong, diversified economy
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- align goals, objectives and policies with the City's Economic Roadmap
- build on the City's success as a major employment centre
- encourage continued opportunities for businesses of all types.
- encourage office buildings in key development nodes, located along major transportation corridors
- support industrial uses surrounding the airport, the port, and along the Outer Ring Road/Trans-Canada Highway, which form part of a regional network in the movement of goods
- preserve the historic character of the downtown while supporting its contribution to the local economy through quality urban design
- ensure the C.A. Pippy Park area, with many of the province's major institutions, is well connected to neighbourhoods and modes of transportation
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Urban design
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- Use secondary plans for identified planning areas. Work with citizens to develop a community vision and specific guidelines to support the local development of attractive multi-use buildings, pedestrian-friendly streets, parks, trails and public spaces.
- Compact development in intensification areas, ensuring appropriate buffers and design solutions to minimize the impact on adjoining established residential neighbourhoods.
- Plan new neighbourhood development around the parks and open space network, with an emphasis on compact, walkable residential neighbourhoods, with a mix of uses and employment areas along primary transportation corridors.
- Protect the city's Heritage area with urban design guidelines that address such things as site specific parameters for height, bulk and form of buildings, as well as exterior design elements.
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Investment in Transportation and Services
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- Work with the Province and the region's municipalities to review the regional network and develop a transportation plan to address regional transportation issues.
- Work with the Airport Authority to ensure land use and development around the airport will not negatively impact operations.
- Ensure the Port continues to have convenient access to the regional road network
- Design complete streets for the safe use and access for everyone.
- Invest in transportation and transit infrastructure along nodes and corridors targeted for intensification.
- Improve transit service and other employ transportation demand management (TDM) techniques in the downtown.
- Upgrade and replace aging municipal infrastructure.
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Zoning, Rezoning and Text Amendments
The City of St. John's is divided into land-use zones which can be found on Map Centre. Zoning determines how land can be used—whether for homes, businesses, or green spaces. Each zone includes permitted, discretionary or prohibited uses. Sometimes, a proposed development does not meet the City's Development Regulations, and would require rezoning or a text amendment.
Future Growth and Studies
We conduct research and long-term planning to ensure sustainable growth. Explore our Plans, Reports & Studies.
Get Involved
Public input helps shape our city's future. Stay informed and participate in planning initiatives Active Planning and Development Applications.
Contact Us
For questions about planning or development, email planning@stjohns.ca or call (709) 576-8220. Alternatively, you can contact the Development Team!
