INFORMATION RELEASE

Public hearing
The public hearing regarding the Official Community Plan (OCP) and zoning amendments in relation to short-term rental (STR) regulations was recessed on Thursday, September 4, 2025. The public hearing will reconvene at 9:00 am on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) office at 101 Martin Street in Penticton. You can also join the meeting online via Webex.

Question and answer session
The RDOS Board has emphasized the importance of providing clear and concise information before the public hearing. An informational question and answer session has been scheduled before the public hearing on Thursday, September 18, 2025, at 8:00 am to help clarify the proposed bylaws and address community questions.

The question and answer session is intended to help residents better understand the implications of the proposed amendments before the public hearing. You can attend the question and answer session in person at 101 Martin Street, Penticton, or online via Webex. To learn more about the proposal and to view the Webex instructions to join the meeting online, visit the project page at rdos.bc.ca.

Residents are encouraged to participate by:

• Reviewing the proposed bylaws on the Vacation Rental Review project webpage
• Contacting RDOS Planning staff with questions
• Submitting written comments in advance by email to planning@rdos.bc.ca
• Attend the public hearing to share their views

Question and answer session and public hearing details:

Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: Question and answer session begins at 8:00 am, the public hearing will begin at 9:00 am
Location: 101 Martin Street, Penticton
Online access: https://rdos.webex.com/
Meeting number: 2771 753 3117
Webinar password: RD@S (7317 by phone)
Join the audio conference only via telephone: 1-833-311-4101 (Canada toll-free)
Audio participants: Press 3 to raise or lower your hand
Watch the question and answer session and public hearing on the RDOS YouTube channel 

Public hearing topics
This public hearing is about the proposed land use changes (i.e. OCP and zoning bylaw amendments). The public hearing is not for business licences. The Business Licence Regulations Bylaw was already adopted on August 21, 2025. You can find additional information about this on the Business Licence Bylaw project web page.

What is the public hearing for?
A public hearing is your opportunity to share your opinion on the proposed land use changes with the Regional District Board of Directors. The public hearing is an opportunity to express support or opposition to the proposed land use changes. The public hearing is not intended as a forum to ask questions or to debate the proposals. Additional information about the proposed changes can be found on the Vacation Rental Review project web page. If you have questions, please email RDOS Planning staff before the public hearing at planning@rdos.bc.ca.

Required under the Local Government Act, public hearings are a formal part of the decision-making process for OCP and zoning bylaw amendments. The process ensures transparency and fairness by allowing elected officials to hear from the public before making final decisions. Public hearings are governed by statutory requirements and principles of procedural fairness, helping to protect the integrity of the bylaw adoption process and reduce the risk of legal challenges. For further information about public hearings, please visit rdos.bc.ca.

Summary of proposed land use changes:
These changes are being considered in response to new provincial legislation and community feedback to better regulate short-term rental accommodations within the RDOS.

Short-Term Rental Permit

• Applies in Electoral Areas “A”, “C”, and “E”
• Vacation rentals will require a Short-Term Rental Permit if an operator is not living on-site and not living in the same dwelling as guests during operation

Principal residence requirement

• Applies in Electoral Areas “D”, “F” and “I”
• STRs will only be allowed in a principal residence, or in a secondary suite or accessory dwelling on the same property as a principal residence

Maximum number of STRs

• Electoral Areas “A”, “C”, “D”, and “I”: maximum two (2) STRs per property*
• Electoral Areas “E” and “F”: maximum one (1) STR per property*

*In the Medium Density Residential, Town and Village Centre and Comprehensive Development zones, there is no maximum amount of STRs per dwelling

Updated zoning rules

• All Electoral Areas will have updated zoning rules related to parking, occupancy, and lands within the Agricultural Land Reserve, to clarify how STRs are regulated where they are permitted

The difference between a question and answer session and a public hearing
A question and answer session is designed to educate and inform the public about a proposed bylaw or policy change. It provides a forum for residents to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage in open dialogue with staff or elected officials. These sessions are informal and typically held before a public hearing to ensure the community understands the proposal.

A public hearing, on the other hand, is a formal legislative requirement under the Local Government Act.
A public hearing provides an opportunity for individuals who believe their property interests may be affected to express support or opposition to a proposed bylaw. Unlike question and answer sessions, public hearings are not intended for Q&A or debate. Elected officials must listen impartially and consider all submissions before making a final decision, following strict procedural rules to ensure fairness and transparency.

Electoral Area considerations
Each Electoral Area may have slightly different rules based on decisions made by individual Area Directors. These differences reflect local priorities and community needs. If you have questions about why specific rules apply in your area, please contact your Area Director.

Background
The Vacation Rental Review process has included multiple phases of public consultation and policy development. The goal is to balance the benefits of short-term rentals with the need to address concerns such as noise, parking, and neighbourhood character.

For further information, please contact RDOS Communications.

-30-

Mark Pendergraft, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Contact:
 RDOS Communications
250-490-4148
Toll-free 1-877-610-3737