Banff Community Plan

2025 Community Plan

The Banff Community Plan is the Town’s primary long-range planning document and is a statement of the vision, goals, objectives, principles, and planning philosophy for the community’s future. 

Review the 2025 Banff Community Plan (PDF), approved by Banff Town Council on September 16, 2025.

The updated Community Plan must meet all of the criteria listed in the Alberta Municipal Government Act (MGA) for municipal development plans and be consistent with the provisions of Section 33 of the Canada National Parks Act, SC 2000, c32 for park communities, and the 2022 Banff National Park of Canada Management Plan which includes the principles of no net negative environmental impact, environmental stewardship and heritage conservation, and accord with any guidelines established by the Minister for appropriate activities within the community. 

Pending Government of Canada approval

Under the provisions of the Town of Banff Incorporation Agreement, the minister responsible for Parks Canada or their designate must give final approval to the bylaw to adopt the community plan prior to it coming into effect. The Banff Community Plan has been provided to Parks Canada for review. 

2023-2025 Plan Update

Community consultation and the involvement of special interest groups was a key part of the review and update of the plan to help understand the community’s existing and desired future needs, aspirations, and vision, and to learn what residents and special interest groups value about their town. The content and structure of the updated Banff Community Plan was also based on input and guidance from the Banff Community Plan Advisory Committee. 

A key focus of the updated community plan has been to align the updated vision and policy direction with other master plans, strategic plans and policies that establish direction in matters relating to environment and sustainability, housing, tourism and economic prosperity, strengthening Indigenous connections, mobility and transportation, community wellbeing, and managing land use. 

The new plan was adopted by Bylaw 490 and will replace the 2009 Banff Community Plan (PDF).

Public review of the Banff Community Plan 

  • On May 26, 2025, Banff Town Council granted First Reading to the Banff Community Plan. 
  • On July 14, 2025, Council held a public hearing to receive input and feedback on the Banff Community Plan.
  • On July 28, 2025, Council deferred Second Reading of the Banff Community Plan to allow Administration time to incorporate a number of requested amendments to the plan by Council based on feedback and comments received at the at the public hearing.
  • On September 8, 2025, a supplementary public hearing was held, allowing community members to share their views on a revised and updated draft of the Banff Community Plan, in response to amendments passed on July 28, 2025. After the public hearing, Council made further amendments and passed second reading. 

On September 16, 2025, at Council made final amendments and passed third (final) reading of the bylaw to approve the new Banff Community Plan.

Related Documents

Recent plans, policies, guiding documents and studies used in the development of the draft plan, include, but are not limited to, the following:

2009 Banff Community Plan

The previous Community Plan was enacted in 2009 after being signed by the Minister of Environment for the Government of Canada. 

Download and review the previous plan:

Every term, Town Council sets strategic priorities aimed at achieving the objectives of the Banff Community Plan:

Background

Town of Banff Commercial Capacity Study (PDF) - The Effects of Commercial Build-out on the Town of Banff

Cycling