Current projects
Electoral Area Planning
Regional Housing Needs Summary
Housing is vital for keeping up with the Central Okanagan’s rapidly growing population. However, delivering housing in the right amount, type and location can be complex in the context of a growing population, changing demographics, new provincial legislation, infrastructure requirements, and increasing natural hazard events.
To help address this challenge, the RDCO has developed a Regional Housing Needs Summary report that appends all the provincially required Interim Housing Needs Reports (IHNRs) in the region together and provides a summary of key regional trends related to population and housing needs. Appendix E of the report also includes further engagement and additional detail on the housing needs of the Electoral Areas and First Nations’ communities within the Central Okanagan. This component builds off the RDCO’s legislatively required Interim Housing Needs Report, which was presented to the Regional Board in Nov 2024.
Regional Housing Needs Summary
Interim Housing Needs Report
The Interim Housing Needs Report was received by the Regional Board on November 28, 2024. This Report introduces the new legislatively mandated ‘HNR Method’ (referred to in legislation as the ‘applicable method’) to estimate current and future housing need in communities across British Columbia. This Report addresses the Interim Housing Needs Report requirements for the Regional District of Central Okanagan’s two Electoral Areas (EAs): Electoral Area West and Electoral Area East.
Interim Housing Needs Report - Electoral Areas 2024
Land Use Agreements
Land use contracts were allowed in BC between 1971 and 1978 as a form of site specific, contractual arrangements between local governments and landowners. When the land use contract legislation was repealed in 1978, the existing contracts remained in place, however no new contracts could be created. More information is available on the Province of BC's Land use agreements between local governments and landowners page.
In 2014, the Local Government Act was changed to terminate all land use contracts by June 30, 2024. In the Central Okanagan the following agreements were impacted:
- Lake Okanagan Resort land use contract termination
- Shelter Cove / Timber Ridge land use contract termination
Regional planning
Regional Employment Lands Inventory
In the rapidly growing Central Okanagan region, ensuring an adequate supply of available, serviced employment land is vital for supporting economic development. Employment land categories include:
- agricultural
- commercial
- industrial
- institutional
- tourism
- other rural employment land
The Regional Employment Lands Inventory (RELI) used population and employment projections to estimate future shortages and surpluses in employment land categories across the region. As part of the RELI, the RDCO created an interactive GIS mapping tool to help the business community, real estate professionals, and public more easily locate employment lands that meet their requirements. Understanding potential employment land shortages and surpluses supports proactive and collaborative work from all governments in the region to ensure necessary employment lands will be available for a thriving regional economy now and into the future.
The RELI was developed in collaboration with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission and a technical committee of subject matter experts from all the partner governments in the region. The project was funded by provincial grants from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities and the Local Government Housing Initiatives Funding Program.
Regional Employment Lands Inventory - Final Report
Regional Employment Land Inventory - GIS tool
Regional Agricultural Strategy
Agriculture is an important part of the socio-economic heritage and cultural identity of the Central Okanagan. It contributes to the economy, the landscape, and to the high quality of life enjoyed by residents. However, several challenges are facing agriculture in the region, such as pressures from population growth, a changing climate, and an evolving economy. In response, the RDCO is updating the Regional Agricultural Strategy (RAS), which will develop a coordinated regional approach to supporting a thriving agricultural sector in the Central Okanagan.
The RDCO’s original Agricultural Plan was developed in 2005. The need to update the plan was first identified as a priority within the Regional Growth Strategy Priority Projects Plan in 2017. Phase 1 saw the completion the Central Okanagan Agricultural Background Report in winter 2022. Phase 2 includes the development of an updated RAS completed in 2025.
Regional Agricultural Strategy- 2025
| Agricultural Plan 2005 |
| An agricultural plan involving the public, advisory committees and staff was completed in 2005. |
Regional Housing Needs Summary
In 2024, local governments and regional districts were required to complete Interim Housing Needs Reports in response to the 2023 Provincial Housing Legislation. The Regional District of the Central Okanagan presented the Interim Housing Needs Report for the Electoral Areas to the Regional Board on November 28, 2024.
The Regional Housing Needs Summary (RHNS) will create a snapshot of housing needs in the Central Okanagan by appending all the Interim Housing Needs Reports completed in the region into one summary report. This will allow for a better understanding of estimated housing need across the Central Okanagan region. The RHNS is currently underway and expected to be completed in 2025.
Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy
The RDCO, in partnership with the District of Peachland, City of West Kelowna, City of Kelowna and District of Lake Country, developed a Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy (COPAWS) to provide a coordinated and shared community action strategy for poverty reduction in the Central Okanagan. Guided by principles of reconciliation, equity and inclusion the project centers the voices of those with lived and living experience through extensive public engagement. The Strategy highlights the importance of working together with clear purpose using the Collective Action model.
Environmental planning
A resource for Okanagan lakeshore living
This publication provides best management practices for property owners along the shoreline of Okanagan Lake. Learn how to protect your property from flooding and wave erosion, safeguard drinking water and protect natural areas for future generations.
A Resource for Okanagan Lakeshore Living
| Project partnerships and funding details |
| This project was initiated by the RDCO in partnership with the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP) and the South Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (SOSCP). Funding was provided by Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program and the Real Estate Foundation of BC. |
Aggregate supply and demand update and analysis
Sand and gravel are finite, non-renewable resources that are essential in construction and specialized industrial uses. This 2013 study contributes to the planning and maintenance of a secure and productive aggregate resource, balanced with environmental and community considerations.
Okanagan Lake Foreshore Inventory and Mapping
The foreshore and surrounding riparian areas of Okanagan Lake have significant economic and environmental value and are extremely sensitive to disturbance. The RDCO has been involved in foreshore planning since the late 1980s and is a pioneer in the task of foreshore management.
Foreshore Inventory and Mapping (FIM) is a method of collecting data and summarizing the current condition, observed modifications and general disturbances. This data helps guide informed decision making by providing agencies with an easily accessible inventory of land use, shore type and existing riparian conditions to implement better shoreline management.
| Central Okanagan Lake FIM (2005 and 2007) |
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These FIM reports focused on the foreshores of Okanagan Lake within the Central Okanagan boundaries. 2005 report
2007 update |
| Okanagan Lake FIM (2011 and 2016) |
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These FIM reports focused on foreshores of the whole Okanagan Lake. The Okanagan Lake: A Compilation of the North, South and Central Okanagan Lake (2011 report)
2016 update Okanagan Lake Foreshore Inventory and Mapping 2016 Update Report Supporting documentation for the 2016 FIM Update is available through the RDCO GIS mapping webpage. |
| Who has been involved? |
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The original Central Okanagan 2005 project was made possible through contributions from the Real Estate Foundation, Ministry of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the District of Lake Country, the City of Kelowna, the Community Mapping Network and the RDCO. The 2016 FIM update for all of Okanagan Lake was initiated by the RDCO and facilitated through a partnership with the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program through the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada, the South Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, and the City of Vernon. |
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Why do we update the FIM |
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We update FIM to:
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Okanagan Lake Protection Strategy
In 2018, representatives from local and regional governments, Syilx Nation, and non-governmental organizations came together to discuss collaborative ways for improving shoreline management for the protection of natural areas around Okanagan Lake. This working group recognized the need for a multi-jurisdictional approach for identifying and developing best practices for shoreline and upland management as well as the need for formal support from local governments and co-development with Okanagan Nation Alliance.
kɬúsx̌nítkʷ (Okanagan Lake) Responsibility Planning Initiative
| Project partnerships and funding details |
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This multi-year collaborative planning effort has received support from the Syilx Okanagan Nation, three Okanagan Regional Districts, and seven local governments. Other active partners include the Province of BC, the Okanagan Basin Water Board, the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association, UBC Okanagan, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada. In 2021, the Vancouver Foundation provided $300,000 to the partnership that is developing the Okanagan Lake Responsibility Strategy. |
Planning for ecosystem connectivity in the Central Okanagan
This project involves identifying locations of ecosystem connectivity corridors that, if conserved or restored, will contribute to maintaining ecosystem connectivity in the Central Okanagan, and to connect the plans made here throughout the Okanagan (from south of the US border to North Okanagan).
Regional Floodplain Management Plan
The Central Okanagan is a waterfront community, characterized not only by many kilometres of lakeshore, but also by numerous watercourses in upland forested watersheds around the region. Flooding is a serious concern in our region and climate change will continue to increase the risks. A three-phase Regional Floodplain Management Plan has been initiated with the purpose of reducing flood risk, improving emergency response, and increasing resiliency to climate change.
Central Okanagan Flood Mitigation Strategy
| Phase one |
| The Regional Floodplain Management Plan: Phase 1 was completed in 2016 to identify potential flood hazards within the RDCO and establish the scope and priorities of the next two phases. |
| Phase two |
This phase is ongoing and focused on delineation and confirmation of the flood-prone streams and floodplains identified in Phase 1. Through funding from RDCO, OBWB, UBCM and NDMP, plus partnerships with local government agencies, the following projects have been completed or are underway:
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| Phase three |
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This phase of the management plan makes use the information collected through the previous two phases to create mitigation strategies. The project included an extensive outreach component to gain input from member local governments, Syilx communities in the region, stakeholders and the public to ensure that the proposed mitigation options are acceptable and supported. More information is available on our Central Okanagan Flood Mitigation strategy page. |
Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory
Since the early 2000s, the RDCO has used Sensitive Ecosystem Inventories (SEIs) to facilitate environmental protection in land use management. SEIs provide scientific information to systematically map out unique, fragile ecosystems to aid in conservation, habitat protection and biodiversity efforts in BC. SEIs are used for a variety of resource management issues by all levels of government, as well as the general public, landowners, developers, biologists, planning staff, non-government organizations.
2021 Update of the Central Okanagan SEI - Graphic Summary
2021 Update of the Central Okanagan SEI - Technical Report
| 2021 Central Okanagan SEI Update |
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The 2021 Central Okanagan SEI Update provides a snapshot of land use changes that have occurred over the past two decades. The update improves our knowledge of the status and trends of the remaining rare and fragile ecosystems and quantifies how land cover change in natural ecosystem areas that have experienced loss. This offers important insights in adapting and improving future policy development and land use management at the municipal and regional scale.
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| Historical SEI data, reports and maps |
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| Additional resources |
| For more information please visit the Province of BC's Ecosystem data and information search tool for sensitive ecosystem inventory. |
Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping
Sensitive Habitat Inventory and Mapping (SHIM) is a method of collecting information that aims at mapping aquatic habitats and their associated riparian areas and terrestrial habitats. Its methods set the standard for fish and aquatic habitat mapping in urban and rural watersheds in residential, commercial, agricultural, industrial and recreational land use areas in British Columbia.
SHIM has been adopted and used since 2001 by the Regional District of the Central Okanagan as an ecosystem-based tool for identifying, inventorying and mapping regional watercourses.
| Why use SHIM data? |
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State of the Basin Report
The State of the Basin Report is a publication from an inter-regional initiative to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework intended to track progress on matters which are important to the Okanagan Valley as a whole.
State of the Basin Report 2016
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Project partnerships and funding details |
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Partners in this initiative include the Regional Districts of North Okanagan (RDNO), Central Okanagan (RDCO), and Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS). The State of the Basin Report was made possible with funding assistance provided by the Real Estate Foundation of British Columbia and the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The partners also acknowledge assistance provided by the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, the Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program, the Interior Health Authority, and numerous other agencies and individuals who contributed their time and expertise to the project. |