The Province of BC requires local governments to oversee land use regulations.
The RDCO provides development services for the two electoral areas in our region: Electoral Area East and Electoral Area West. Municipalities in the region (City of Kelowna, City of West Kelowna, District of Lake Country, District of Peachland) oversee development services within their boundaries, as do local First Nations (Okanagan Indian Band and Westbank First Nation).
- Development Applications Procedures | Bylaw No. 1527
- Development Application Fees and Charges | Bylaw 1483
Before you apply
Confirm the property’s location. Make use of RDCO maps to see the boundaries of electoral areas and municipalities in the Central Okanagan.
Determine if the property is in a Development Permit Area (DPA) – locations that require special treatment for protection of the natural environment and for protection of development from hazardous conditions. DPA details are provided in RDCO maps. If the property is in a DPA, an approved development permit application is required, prior to any land disturbance on a property.
Properties may have a covenant, right-of-way or easement registered on title that could restrict development. Request a title search from the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC to discover if there are conditions on a property. It is the owner’s responsibility to ensure proposed work follows any restrictions.
Some applications may require:
Get started by booking a meeting with a planner.
| Book a meeting with a planner |
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Book a meeting to talk about your project with a Planner by sending a request by email (planning@rdco.com) with the following information:
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Application process
After your application meeting, you will receive follow-up notes with a list of requirements based on your specific proposed project. This list of requirements is subject to change depending on the types and locations of structures.
Work your way through your list and compile all documents, reports and plans required for your development permit application.
Development permit application
After you apply
Once staff have reviewed your application and confirmed it is complete, you will receive an email with payment information and instructions. Fees outlined in the Development Application Fees and Charges | Bylaw 1483.
You will receive a timeline estimate for your application after your first meeting with a planner.
Forms and resources
| Topic | Description | Resources |
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Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) |
Land designated as agricultural is considered a valuable resource due to the ability to grow food products. Learn more about the importance of farmland and food security in the Central Okanagan. |
Applications must be submitted through the ALC website: |
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Crown land |
Land owned by the province is available to the public for many different purposes (e.g. recreation, research or industry). Learn more for applications that involve Crown land. |
Applications must be made through FrontCounterBC: |
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Development Permit (DP) |
A DP may be required for: protection of the natural environment, protection from hazardous conditions and/or form and character of developments. The objectives, guidelines and location of DP areas can be found in Official Community Plans or the Joe Rich Rural Land Use Bylaw. Learn more about development permits. |
Development permit application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |
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Form, character and landscaping – Schedule 4 |
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Hillside or slope stability development - Schedule 6 |
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Sensitive aquatic ecosystem development
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Sensitive aquatic ecosystem development - Schedule 5
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Sensitive terrestrial ecosystem development
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Sensitive terrestrial ecosystem development - Schedule 5
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Wildfire interface development requires a wildfire covenant, which can be obtained through a notary public or lawyer. Wildfire risk can be mitigated with appropriate building materials and by following FireSmart principles. Wildfire covenants outline your legal responsibility. Details of wildfire covenants can be found in the appendices of Official Community Plans (OCP). |
Obtain or confirm an existing wildfire covenant for your property through the Land Title and Survey Authority of BC: ltsa.ca |
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Development Variance Permit |
Development bylaws must be adhered to: Property owners may request a variance to a bylaw regulation for a specific change to one particular property. Variances cannot: change uses, increase density or alter floodplain requirements. Learn more about development variance permits. |
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Floodplain exemption |
The Province of BC has established floodplain elevation setbacks from streams and lakes. RDCO bylaws follow those guidelines. Learn more about floodplain exemption permits. |
Floodplain exemption application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |
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Joe Rich rural land use bylaw amendment |
The Joe Rich Rural Land Use | Bylaw No. 1195 contains some elements of a zoning bylaw and an official community plan for the Joe Rich area. Learn more about Joe Rich rural land use bylaw amendments.
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Joe Rich rural land use bylaw amendment application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |
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Owner authorization |
Those representing property owners must complete an owner authorization form. |
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Rezoning and official community plan amendment |
The Zoning | Bylaw No. 871 regulates land use designations. Official Community Plans (OCP) are a statement of objectives and policies that guide land use management with a long term vision. Property owners may request a change to zoning or OCP. Learn more about rezoning and official community plan amendments. |
Rezoning and official community plan amendment application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |
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Sand and gravel extraction |
The RDCO is the local liaison for applications to the province and provides assistance and information. Learn more about sand and gravel extraction. |
Applications must be made through FrontCounterBC: |
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Secondary suite |
New regulations allow for one suite within the principal dwelling in all residential zones that allow single family dwellings. A site-specific zoning amendment is no longer required. Property owners must still apply for a building permit to ensure adequate site servicing and building code compliance when creating a secondary suite. Learn more about: |
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Secondary suite for Joe Rich |
Properties in Joe Rich must have the necessary land use designation for a secondary suite. The Joe Rich Rural Land Use | Bylaw No. 1195 requires an application to allow a secondary suite. Learn more about secondary suites in Joe Rich. |
Secondary Suite – Joe Rich application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |
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Subdivision |
A subdivision application is required: to create two or more properties from one original parcel, adjust property lines or consolidate existing properties. Subdivision applications must be made to the Province of BC. They will refer to the Regional District for adherence to local bylaws and plans. Learn more about subdivisions. |
See the Province of BC’s page on subdividing land outside a municipality. |
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Temporary use permit (TUP) |
Property owners may request temporary permission for land use not allowed under zoning bylaws: A TUP will not allow an activity to occur on a site indefinitely. Learn more about temporary use permits. |
Temporary use permit application form Applicants must also submit a completed site disclosure statement from the Province of BC. |