Shelter Cove / Timber Ridge land use contract termination

Land use contracts

During the late 1970s and early 1980s the Provincial Municipal Act permitted local governments to enter into agreements with property owners specifying site-specific land uses and conditions of development. These agreements are called Land Use Contracts which supersede any subsequent bylaw dealing with land use and development.

Although new LUC's are no longer permitted under provincial legislation, there are some still in effect such as LUC No. 258 (Shelter Cove / Timber Ridge).

Terminating the contracts

In 2014, the Province enacted legislation which stipulates that all LUC’s in BC will automatically be terminated on June 30, 2024. Local Governments are required to enact zoning regulations for all properties affected by land use contracts prior to June 30, 2022. The legislation also allows local governments with authority to unilaterally terminate LUC’s.

The Regional Board outlined the process locally in 2014.

Shelter Cove and Timber Ridge

As required by the Province, Regional District Community Services staff initiated a proposal to terminate LUC No. 258 and zone the subject properties under Zoning | Bylaw No. 871. This also involved an amendment to the Rural Westside Official Community Plan | Bylaw No. 1274. This bylaw amendment process has now concluded.

For a summary of the application process, please review the timeline provided below.

Board Reports & Bylaws

Land use contract 258

The Shelter Cove community located at 4401 Westside Road is currently developed with various seasonal residential accommodation units. The Timber Ridge lands located upslope of Westside Road remain vacant. The existing structures were sited in accordance with LUC No. 258 and subsequent amendments (Bylaw No. LUCA-80-1).

Permitted uses currently under the LUC include:

  • Not more than 463 recreational vehicle sites and 42 vacation home sites;
  • One recreation building;
  • One retreat building, designed to accommodate up to 110 persons;
  • One swimming pool building and swimming pool;
  • One administration building;
  • One maintenance building;
  • One lodge with staff accommodation; and,
  • One sani-station.

Land use contract Bylaw No. 258 - Nov 1978

Land use contract Bylaw No. LUCA-80-1 - May 1981

Next steps

The Regional District of Central Okanagan will continue to accept Building Permit and Development Permit applications for uses permitted under LUC No. 258 until May 30, 2023. On May 31, 2023, LUC No. 258 will officially be terminated and the new zoning and permitted uses under Zoning Bylaw No. 871 and Rural Westside Official Community Plan will apply.