Your home, new zone: residential and small holdings review

News Article

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is in the final stage of consolidating all South Okanagan Electoral Area zoning bylaws. The process first began in 2008 and will replace zoning bylaws for Electoral Area A, C, D, E, F, and I with the South Okanagan Area Zoning Bylaw No. 2800. This project is intended to provide a standard zoning bylaw across the region.

Consolidating zoning bylaws involves reviewing and updating different sections over an extended period of time. Tourist Commercial zones as an example, were reviewed and updated in 2018. Agricultural zone updates were completed in 2017.

The two remaining zones to be reviewed are Low Density Residential (RS) and Small Holdings (SH). These zones address smaller parcel residential subdivision developments, usually serviced with community water and sewer; and slightly larger rural residential subdivisions, usually on an individual septic sewer service and may be on individual wells or a community water system

The Regional District has undertaken this review to provide clear and consistent information to help avoid potential errors in interpreting regulations across the region. For example, definitions will be consistent for similar zones including siting requirements such as height and setbacks. Permitted uses and densities will also be made consistent.

The process of determining which current zones correspond with the proposed zones begins with comparison tables outlining the similarities and inconsistencies. The next step is to review the mapping for properties zoned RS and SH and determine which of the proposed zones most accurately reflect the current situation.

Considerations used to determine which zone applies to each parcel included property size, development feasibility based on terrain, access to services such as water or sewer, and whether the parcel is in a growth area or Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). In cases where significant changes have been proposed, a letter will be sent to the property owner.

The Amendment Bylaw, including all zoning changes is expected to be presented to the RDOS Board for consideration by summer 2021.

For further information including a link to a mapping tool for each Electoral Area, please visit the RDOS website and search for Residential Zone Update. 

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Karla Kozakevich, Chair
Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen 

Contacts:

Evelyn Riechert
RDOS Planner
250-490-4107

Erick Thompson Andrea Rendall
RDOS Communications RDOS Communications
250-490-4211 250-490-4147
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