West Kelowna Infill Housing Strategy

West Kelowna’s Infill Housing Strategy endorsed by Council

At the Nov. 12, 2024 Regular Council Meeting, Council endorsed the City’s Infill Housing Strategy. To accommodate growth and support diverse and evolving needs, West Kelowna must add several thousand homes to its housing supply in the coming decades. Infill housing, which is typically ground-oriented and intended to fit within existing neighbourhoods without significantly changing their character or appearance, is one way to create housing options. The strategy recommends actions to advance infill that fits within the West Kelowna context, and facilitate and monitor long-term success.

To learn more:

View the presentation

Read the Report to Council

Review the final West Kelowna Infill Housing Strategy

What is the West Kelowna Infill Housing Strategy?

On May 21, 2024, West Kelowna Council adopted Zoning Bylaw amendments that incorporate required provincial regulations under Bill 44 - The Housing Statutes Residential Development Amendment Act. To respond to the requirements of the legislation, Council approved changes to the Zoning Bylaw aimed at permitting up to a maximum of four housing units of Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing on many existing single family residential lots throughout West Kelowna. This means that, in addition to single-detached homes, duplexes with secondary suites and/or carriage houses can be built on many lots. Townhouses can also be built on certain lots in the RP1 and RC2 Zones.

Following the Bill 44 amendments, West Kelowna is developing an Infill Housing Strategy. The Infill Housing Strategy is West Kelowna’s approach to understanding how new infill development can be supported by or located close to community amenities, transportation options, and infrastructure capacity. It also outlines actions to guide how infill housing development can be sensitive to the West Kelowna context. The West Kelowna Infill Housing Strategy will support the goals of the City’s Official Community Plan and align with Council's Strategic Priorities to enhance infrastructure, economic growth, community strength, and safety.

The Infill Housing Strategy Project is currently in the Engagement Phase, and we want to hear from you! The purpose of engagement is to gather input from residents to understand:

• What our community hopes infill housing will achieve in West Kelowna;
• Ways to successfully integrate infill housing in West Kelowna neighbourhoods;
• What types of infill housing residents hope to see in different areas of the city;
• Important considerations for infill housing form and character;
• How to overcome barriers to infill housing development.

Project Timeline

About the Provincial Changes (Bill 44)

The City of West Kelowna has updated its Zoning Bylaw to comply with provincial regulations under Bill 44, impacting approximately 10,700 parcels in West Kelowna (subject to certain requirements and exemptions).

Some of the changes in West Kelowna as a result of Bill 44 include:

• Detached dwellings, duplexes, and suites and/or carriage houses are permitted up to a maximum of four units in the RC1, R1, R1L, CD1(C), CD1(E) and CD3(A) Zones. The RC2 and RP1 zones allow these, as well as townhouses, up to a maximum of 4 units total.
• Reduced parking requirements in select zones for Secondary Suites and Carriage Houses. Reduced parking for single-detached dwellings, duplexes, and townhouses in the RC2 and RP1 zones.
• Changes made to development regulations and minor setback reductions and increased parcel coverage in some zones, and increased height for principal dwellings by 1 metre (3 feet).
• All SSMUH developments require building permit applications which may trigger additional water service upgrades or other utility upgrades.
• More information on West Kelowna's approach to implementing required changes under Bill 44 can be found on the City's Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing webpage.

The West Kelowna Infill Housing Strategy is being completed following adoption of Bill 44 changes and to further explore infill opportunities in the city.

What is Infill?

Both 'infill' and 'infill housing' are broad terms. 'Infill' refers to development in established areas of the community that can be serviced with the existing sewer, water, and road networks. It is usually added to existing housing (like a carriage house or second house on a lot) or replaces existing housing with more units (such as replace a single housing with a duplex, triplex, or fourplex).

'Infill housing' encompasses a variety of housing forms from as shown in the photos below:

Infill housing is typically ground-oriented and intended to “fit” within existing neighbourhoods without significantly changing its character or appearance.