Kelowna's Official Community Plan Update - Housing Growth to 2041

Official title: Official Community Plan - 2025 Update

Closed Community Planning Housing & Communities
Kelowna is updating its 2040 Official Community Plan to meet provincial housing requirements. The Province now requires all BC cities to align their plans with Housing Needs Assessments. This means showing how the city will meet housing demand through 2041 and updating policies for all housing types.

Why This Matters

Looking for a place to live in Kelowna? This plan shapes where and what kind of housing gets built over the next 15 years. Whether you're renting, hoping to buy, or worried about your neighbourhood changing, these decisions affect you. Families needing more bedrooms, seniors looking for accessible units, and anyone watching rents climb should pay attention.

What Could Change

The city's growth projections will be updated to match provincial population forecasts. Housing policies across the OCP will be revised for consistency with the Housing Needs Assessment. This could mean more density in certain areas and updated rules for different housing types. Infrastructure plans for transportation, parks, and utilities will also be reviewed to support growth.

Key Issues

  • Does the updated growth scenario adequately address Kelowna's housing needs through 2041?
  • Are the proposed housing policy amendments clear and consistent?
  • How should the city balance growth with infrastructure capacity?

How to Participate

  1. Review the 2040 Official Community Plan and the Interim Housing Needs Report to understand the proposed changes.
  2. The engagement period ran from July 9 to August 10, 2025. Residents could answer poll questions and ask staff questions through the consultation page.

What Happened

The engagement period took place from July 9 to August 10, 2025. Residents participated by reviewing background materials, answering poll questions, and asking staff questions. The Q&A section shows residents raised concerns about parking, accessible housing, affordability, infrastructure like sewer and rail trails, and incentives for family-sized units. The OCP was amended on October 21, 2025 to meet provincial mandates.