Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) are a sustainable community planning tool used by municipalities to revitalize areas of a city or community through programs, grants and incentives. CIPs also:

• address the reuse and restoration of lands, buildings and infrastructure
• address growth management challenges
• plan for rehabilitation, development and land-use change

The City recognizes the value of community improvement planning initiatives and identifies opportunities for future work. Under the Planning Act, Community Improvement Plans (CIPs) can be undertaken for environmental, social or economic development reasons.

Financial Incentive Programs

As part of our Community Improvement Plans, the City of Greater Sudbury also provides financial incentives for development or redevelopment of certain properties or areas. Incentives may include grants, loans, rebate programs and more.

Read more about some of our financial incentive programs HERE.

Ontario’s new 2024 Building Code (OBC) comes into effect January 1, 2025, and there are challenges in how various municipalities in Ontario are addressing the transition period between the 2021 OBC and the 2024 OBC.

Transition Rules and Application for Permit

Under the direction of the Chief Building Official for the City of Greater Sudbury, this municipality will be observing the transitional period for the implementation of the 2024 OBC with the following considerations:

For permits applied for during the transition period of January 1st, 2025, to March 31st, 2025, applicants requesting review under the 2012 OBC can provide a letter indicating that "working drawings were substantially complete as of Dec 31, 2024, and have been designed to conform with OBC 2012". Building Services will then review drawings under OBC 2012. If there is no accompanied letter, we will review under OBC 2024.

Effective April 1, 2025, all plans review will be under OBC 2024.

Key Transition Dates

May 22 – December 31, 2024 - All projects submitted for building permit must conform to current 2012 OBC, as amended.

April 10, 2024 - Release of the new building code.

January 1, 2025 - All projects submitted for building permit must conform to the 2024 Building Code.

Up to March 31, 2025 - Projects having working drawings substantially completed prior to January 1, 2025 can still apply under the 2012 OBC.

April 1, 2025, and Onward - All projects submitted for building permit must conform to the 2024 Building Code.

We hope that our approach will allow us to support our stakeholder groups as they work through the transition period and continue to deliver services that you have come to know.

Greater Sudbury had a transformative year in 2024, marked by significant advancements in population growth, housing development, healthcare and economic development. These accomplishments continue to emphasize Greater Sudbury’s position as a thriving and vibrant hub in Northern Ontario.

The latest Statistics Canada estimate placed Greater Sudbury’s population at 179,965—a significant increase from the 2022 figure of 175,307.

Housing development remains a key pillar of Greater Sudbury’s growth strategy. Throughout 2024, there were 148 new residential permits and 1,122 permits for alterations or renovations issued, with a total construction value of over $282 million. In the Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional (ICI) sectors, the City of Greater Sudbury issued 302 permits, creating a total construction value of over $277 million.

The healthcare sector in Greater Sudbury saw significant growth in 2024, welcoming 12 new family physicians and 22 specialists serving critical fields such as cardiology, oncology and emergency medicine.

Film production flourished with 30 projects filming across 397 days, contributing $15.8 million in local direct spending. The city also hosted several major conferences and events, including the OECD Conference of Mining Regions and Cities and the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities (FONOM) Conference, which attracted national and international delegations, and highlighted Greater Sudbury’s leadership in mining, sustainability and innovation.

To view the full Economic Bulletin for 2024, CLICK HERE.