Rezoning & OCP amendments
Know your role in protecting BC's archaeological sites. If you are planning on developing your property, please review our City of Kelowna Bulletin on Archaeological Sites. For more information you can visit the Province of BC's Archaeology Branch website and review the Provincial Property Owner Brochure to learn your responsibilities as a property owner.
Bulletin - Archaeological Sites
Every property in Kelowna has a zoning classification, outlined in the Zoning Bylaw, and a future land use designation, outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP). The zoning classification determines what can be done on a property currently and the future land use designation establishes the City’s long-term vision for a property. To find out the zoning and future land use designation of your property, check out our online mapping system.
Rezoning is the process of changing your property from one zoning classification to another. A rezoning application is needed if your development proposal requires changes to zoning regulations, such as permitted uses or residential density. For example, you could apply to rezone a property to allow for a duplex rather than a single-family dwelling, or to rezone a property from one commercial zone to a different commercial zone to allow for new permitted uses. See our Zoning Bylaw to see which uses are allowed in each zone.
If your development proposal requires changing the future land use designation as well as the zoning classification, an OCP amendment application would also be required. For example, if you wanted to rezone your property to an industrial zone, but the future land use designation is for commercial development, you would need to change the future land use designation to industrial through an OCP amendment application before being able to rezone your property. OCP amendment applications are always accompanied by a rezoning application. See Chapter 3 of the OCP for more information.
To make a rezoning or OCP amendment application, submit the relevant application form and all required documents as per the links below:
- Standard development application package
- For most types of development applications including Development Permits, Development Variance Permits, Heritage Alteration and Revitalization Permits, Natural Environment Development Permits, OCP Amendments, Rezoning, Temporary Use Permits, and Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional projects.
- Simple development application package
- Some types of developments do not require a form and character review, in these circumstances a simple development application may be used. Please check with our Planner of the Day at planninginfo@kelowna.ca, or by calling 250-469-8626 to see if your project qualifies.
Once your complete application is submitted, you will be assigned a file manager who will work with you to process your application.
All rezoning and OCP amendment applications go through a comprehensive review process by relevant internal City departments and external agencies such as FortisBC, BC Assessment, the Ministry of Transportation and water providers. Once all review comments have been provided, your file manager will review the feedback with you and inform you of City staff’s position on the application.
Every rezoning and OCP amendment application requires neighbourhood consultation as per Council Policy #367. Some items to include in your consultation package are a site plan, a description of the project and the contact information for your file manager at the City.
It's a good idea to speak with your neighbours early and often during the development process. Learn about the 25 ways to be a good neighbour.
Initial consideration:
Once the review process and neighbourhood consultation have been completed, your file manager will prepare a report to Council with a recommendation of either support or non-support for your application.
From there, City staff will schedule a date for Council's initial consideration of your proposal. Initial consideration occurs at Monday afternoon Council meetings held in Council chambers. If staff recommend support for your application, you will not be asked to speak at this meeting. If staff recommend non-support for your project, you will be given 15 minutes to present.
First, second and third reading:
Local Government Act Procedures have changed and rezoning applications that are consistent with the Official Community Plan (OCP) are no longer considered at a public hearing unless directed by Council. Under this process there is a 10 day public notification period prior after initial consideration and before the first reading of the bylaw. While there is no formal opportunity for the public to submit correspondence or present to Council, the public can contact Development Planning to get more information about the application or write to Council at mayorandcouncil@kelowna.ca. After the notification period, Council will consider giving first, second and third readings to the bylaw at a Monday afternoon Council meeting. After third reading, it’s the applicant's responsibility to meet any requirements outlined in the Council resolution to advance the application to fourth reading.
Fourth reading (bylaw adoption):
For your proposal to receive fourth and final reading, any requirements outlined in the Council resolution must be met. Requirements may include preparing legal documents such as covenants, receiving final approval from the Ministry of Transportation or meeting engineering requirements.
If your proposal also includes a development permit or development variance permit application, your file manager will prepare a report to Council regarding the development permit and/or development variance permit, which will be voted on by Council at the same meeting when your application can receive fourth reading.
Note: At initial consideration or first reading Council can choose to direct a rezoning application to a public hearing for further consideration.
Initial Consideration:
Once the review process and neighbourhood consultation have been completed, your file manager will prepare a report to Council with a recommendation of either support or non-support for your application.
From there, City staff will schedule a date for Council's initial consideration of your proposal. Initial consideration occurs at Monday afternoon Council meetings held in Council chambers. If staff recommend support for your application, you will not be asked to speak at this meeting. If staff recommend non-support for your project, you will be given 15 minutes to present.
If Council supports your application, it will be scheduled for further consideration at a public hearing.
Public hearing:
Public hearings take place every second or third Tuesday evening in Council Chambers. Members of the public may submit correspondence by email to cityclerk@kelowna.ca, by letter to the Office of the City Clerk, 1435 Water Street, Kelowna, BC V1Y 1J4, or verbally by calling the Office of the City Clerk at 250-469-8645. Correspondence must include your name and civic address and must be received by 8 am the day of the public hearing to be circulated to Council.
Applicants and members of the may public may participate in a public hearing either in-person or online. Applicants have up to 15 minutes to present to Council and members of the public have up to 5 minutes to address Council. Learn more about the public hearing process. Council meetings, public hearings, and meeting archives are available online. Want to watch a live meeting? Tune in here.
If Council supports your application at the public hearing, they will give your application second and third readings at the same meeting. After third reading, it’s the applicant's responsibility to meet any requirements outlined in the Council resolution to advance the application to fourth reading.
Fourth reading (bylaw adoption):
For your proposal to receive fourth and final reading, any requirements outlined in the Council resolution must be met. Requirements may include preparing legal documents such as covenants, receiving final approval from the Ministry of Transportation or meeting engineering requirements.
If your proposal also includes a development permit or development variance permit application, your file manager will prepare a report to Council regarding the development permit and/or development variance permit, which will be voted on by Council at the same meeting when your application can receive fourth reading.
Contact your file manager or planninginfo@kelowna.ca if you have any questions.
Refer to Development Applications Fee Bylaw No. 12552 to confirm fees. Other costs may include:
- Engineering requirements for servicing upgrades, such as water, sewer and road improvements
- Development cost charges, payable at time of building permit or subdivision approval
- Legal and survey fees
- Consultant fees
- Bonding requirements for landscaping and servicing agreements
