Bulletins

The Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR) is a provincially designated zone that preserves specified properties for agriculture and encourages farming as a secure food source.

If your property is in the ALR, it is subject to the provincial Agricultural Land Commission Act and the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision, and Procedure Regulations.

An ALC application is required when an owner of land in the ALR intends to:

• Include or exclude land in the ALR
• Subdivide land in the ALR
• Use ALR land for non-farm purposes
• Place, fill, or remove soil for non-farm purposes

Before an application is submitted, the applicant should meet with Development Services staff to discuss the proposal and determine requirements. Applications are made through the ALC’s online application portal.

For additional information regarding applications in the Agricultural Land Reserve or living next to farming, please refer to the following bulletins:

• Agricultural Land Reserve
• Living Next to Farming

Information regarding Carriage Houses can be found in the Carriage House Bulletin and by visiting section 3.19 Carriage Houses in Zoning Bylaw.

Required documents:

• Building Permit Application
• Documents as required on the Application Checklist
• Parking Plan

Development Permit Areas (DPAs) are portions of land with values requiring protection and further technical review before works can begin.

DPAs enhance neighbourhood character, protect the environment, revitalize commercial areas, conserve energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Ten DPAs are designated in the Official Community Plan. Six relate to land use (Commercial, Industrial and Business Park, Westbank Urban Centre, Boucherie Urban Centre, Neighbourhood Centre, Multiple Family and Intensive Residential), while others address environmental features (Hillside, Aquatic Ecosystem, Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem, and Wildfire Interface).

Properties located within a DPA require a permit prior to the issuance of other required permits and building, development and subdivision approvals. A Development Permit may also be required prior to any site disturbance, including the land clearing. If your property is located within multiple DPAs, you only need to submit one application.

Please note, for maintaining existing landscaping or removing hazard trees, a Development Permit is not required.

For additional information regarding Development Permit applications, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Development Permit Applications

A Development Variance Permit, or DVP, varies a specific regulation outlined in the Zoning, Sign, or Subdivision Bylaw. The property must also conform to all other development regulations in associated bylaws.

A DVP cannot vary the land use or density of a property. If a property owner wishes to modify these aspects, they must apply for a Zoning Amendment.

DVPs will be considered by staff and West Kelowna City Council in the context of:

• Other available options in design, functionality, and siting;
• Safety issues;
• Urban design and aesthetic aspects;
• The extent of the variance(s) requested;
• The applicant’s rationale for the variance;
• Any unique site features;
• Public input; and
• Applicable city policies, such as the Official Community Plan.

For additional information regarding Development Variance Permits, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Development Variance Permits

The Zoning Bylaw complies with provincial Bill 44 to allow increased density through Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing on lots traditionally zoned for single-family development.

Various scenarios for increased-density housing may be possible, including duplex servicing, provided that they meet city requirements:

• Duplex Servicing Bulletin

Local zoning bylaws have replaced Land Use Contracts since June 30, 2024.

Background

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Provincial Municipal Act permitted local governments to enter into Land Use Agreements with property owners for site-specific uses and development conditions. The agreements superseded subsequent land use and development bylaws. A 10-year phase out period began in 2014. 

Information regarding the redevelopment of Manufactured Home Park can be found in the Manufactured Home Park bulletin and the Manufactured Home Park Redevelopment Policy

Information regarding the redevelopment of a purpose-built rental housing can be found in the Redevelopment of Purpose-Built Rental Housing bulletin and Rental Protection and Tenant Relocation Policy.

Information regarding Secondary Suites can be found in the Secondary Suite Bulletin and the Secondary Suite Construction Requirements document.

Required documents:

• Building Permit Application
• Documents as required on the Application Checklist
• Parking Plan

The City of West Kelowna has updated its Zoning Bylaw to comply with provincial Bill 44 to allow Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing on many lots traditionally zoned for single family development, known as Restricted Zones.

Read the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing Bulletin for more information on the provincial changes and how the city has implemented them.

A subdivision is the process of altering legal property boundaries and often divides a larger lot into smaller parcels. Realignment of existing property lines and consolidation of one or more properties into a single parcel may also be classified as a subdivision.

An application for subdivision is required when:

• Creating two or more lots from one or more existing properties.
• Consolidating two or more lots into one parcel;
• Adjusting or realigning an existing property line, also called a boundary adjustment;
• Dedicating property for a road or park;
• Cancelling an existing road allowance;
• Creating a bare land strata subdivision to include lots from one or more existing properties;
• Creating a phased strata title development; and
• Converting an existing, previously occupied multi-unit development to strata title ownership.

For more information regarding subdivision information, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Subdivision Information

Council may authorize a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) to allow a use that is not permitted under a property's current zoning.

A TUP may permit one of the following:

• A use not permitted by the Zoning Bylaw
• Specific conditions under which the proposed use(s) may be carried out
• The construction of buildings or structures for which the permit is issued

TUP-related construction, demolition, or land alteration may not begin until a permit is issued. The applicant may need to submit a security to guarantee the terms of a permit. The security is returned when the project is completed, provided that the terms have been followed.

In addition to a TUP, a building permit and/or business license may be required.

For additional information regarding Temporary Use Permits, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Temporary Use Permits

For additional information regarding tree removal, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Tree Removal

Zoning Bylaw

The Zoning Bylaw divides parcels of land into certain zones that regulate the permitted use and density and siting, size, and dimensions of buildings and structures within a specified area.

Zoning also establishes minimum standards for health, safety, convenience, and public welfare. Through the use of density parameters, zoning can prevent overcrowding and ensure appropriate building forms.

A Zoning Amendment, or rezoning, is the process of changing a property's zone to vary use. Zoning can only be changed through a Zoning Amendment.

Official Community Plan

An Official Community Plan (OCP) is the long-term vision and consolidation of Council’s objectives for land use and the form and character of development. The OCP contains guidelines for Development Permit Areas. The OCP identifies land use designations and types of development that Council considers appropriate throughout the community. An OCP Amendment may be initiated to change a land use designation or policy direction specified in the OCP.

Amendments

Rezoning is required when the existing zone does not permit a proposed use or density of a property or the proposed building form/siting. Rezoning may allow a change in regulations. The review process examines the change's impact to ensure consistency with the development standards.

Where a proposed zone does not match the Official Community Plan parameters, an OCP Amendment is also required. An OCP Amendment is required before zoning can change. OCP and Zoning Bylaw Amendment applications typically occur concurrently.

For additional information regarding Zoning and Official Community Plan Amendments, please refer to the following bulletin:

• Zoning and Official Community Plan Amendments