Development process overview
Property development projects in Kelowna – such as building a carriage house, rezoning your property, or proposing a new commercial development – have different requirements and processes. The page contains important information about the application process for your proposed development.
There are various types of property development applications, and they all have unique requirements. Learn more about the types of development projects below and click on a header to visit that overview page.
- Carriage house proposals: constructing a smaller, secondary house that can be used for guests, family, or as a rental
- Development variance permits: proposing development that doesn’t conform to City bylaws
- Environmental development proposals: altering land or proposing construction in a natural environment or hazardous development permit area
- Heritage development proposals: altering, restoring or revitalizing heritage properties
- RU7 zone development permits: adding new housing units to existing neighbourhoods within the RU7 - infill housing zone
- Rezoning & OCP amendments: rezoning properties or amending the Official Community Plan
- Subdivision & stratification proposals: subdividing a property, including changing lot lines or consolidating lots, as well as stratifying buildings
- Urban design development permits: constructing multiple unit residential, commercial and industrial developments
Application fees are listed in our Development Application Fees Bylaw and change yearly. Depending on your proposal, there may be other costs associated such as building permits, development cost charges and servicing fees. Other agencies - such as FortisBC, your water provider, or the BC Safety Authority – may also charge fees related to your application.
The application process for a development project can be complicated. To get additional information, you can meet with one of our planning technicians at the Application Centre on the second floor of City Hall. For more complex files, set up a pre-application meeting with a planner by calling us at 250-469-8626 or emailing us at planninginfo@kelowna.ca.
Speaking to your neighbours early and often is important when you are proposing a new development. They may have ideas about the proposal, offer their support or share concerns that could be addressed. Learn about the 25 ways to be a good neighbour.
Applications can be submitted with payment to the Application Centre on the second floor of City Hall. Please review the requirements listed on the application form relevant to your proposal to ensure that you’re submitting a complete application – see a list of application forms below.
Once you’ve determined which type of application you need to apply for, submit the relevant application form and all required documents as per the links below:
- Residential development
- For smaller scale development proposals including carriage house rezoning applications, heritage alteration and revitalization permits, natural environment development permits, farm protection development permits, farm worker housing permits and development variance permits
- Comprehensive development
- For larger scale development proposals in development permit areas including multiple-unit residential (3+ units) development, development in urban centres, as well as commercial, industrial and institutional proposals
- Agricultural Land Commission (ALC) applications
- For applications on ALR land that need to be considered by the ALC, submit your application directly to the ALC and it will be forwarded to the City
- Building stratification
- For applications to stratify two or more units on a single lot – stratification allows the units to be sold separately and creates common strata property
- Subdivision
- For subdivision applications including adjusting lot lines, creating new lots, and consolidating lots – read the subdivision application checklist
- Tree removal
- For applications to remove trees within environmentally sensitive areas
- Soil deposit and removal
- For applications to remove soil from or deposit soil onto a property
Once your completed application is submitted, you will be assigned a file manager who will work to process your application. Incomplete applications will cause delays. Simple applications that don't require Council consideration can be processed on a shorter timeline, whereas more complex applications that require Council consideration will take longer to process. Your file manager will be able to provide you with more information about application timelines.
