Subdivisions | City of West Kelowna

Subdivisions are the division of land into two or more parcels. This may include a basic property line adjustment, but not the consolidation of two or more lots.

Getting started

Development engineering staff work closely with applicants to ensure projects and proposed subdivisions:

Meet high standards that make our community a desired place to live.
Complement the surroundings that we all enjoy.
Meet bylaw and policy guidelines for development.

Please contact us to become familiar with the process and share proposal ideas prior to application.

Staff will review applications carefully to ensure that the proposal covers:

City subdivision requirements.
Development guidelines.
Development cost charges.

Development Engineering

Development Engineering services include:

Curbs and gutters
Hillside development
Retaining walls
Roads
Sewer capacity
Sidewalks
Storm sewer facilities
Street lights
Subdivision layout
Traffic capacity
Water capacity

Resources

Visit our Planning and Building webpages:

Bulletins

Subdivision applications

Subdivision complexity varies. Please, save time and avoid effort duplication by sharing your ideas with us in advance so we can ensure you submit the right application and have the information you need to ensure the best chances of success.

You can also:

View the subdivision application form to understand typical application requirements.
Read the Works and Services Bylaw to know what must be provided in and around subdivisions and design guidelines and construction standards for infrastructure.
Become familiar with development cost charges (DCCs) and the DCC Bylaw.
Know what other fees and charges may apply during the process from the Fees and Charges Bylaw.

Applications and Checklists

The following applications and checklists are commonly used for subdivision applications.

Development cost charges

Development cost charges (DCCs) on new development help cover growth-related costs and co-invest in new or enhanced infrastructure and parkland acquisition.

DCCs apply to subdivision approvals that create:

Carriage homes.
New commercial, institutional and industrial development where work value exceeds $75,000.
Single-family residential lots.

DCCs are levied per lot, per dwelling unit, or per square meter of new development, for services such as drainage, parks, roads, sewer and water.

Learn more

DCC exemptions

Not all developments are subject to DCCs. The following are exempt from these charges per Sections 561 and 563 of the Local Government Act:

If a Development Cost Charge has previously paid for the same development.
Developments that do not impose any capital cost burdens on the municipality.
Where the building permit authorizes work that is not subject to taxation under Sections 220(1)(h) and 224(2)(f) of the Community Charter.
The overall value of the building permit work does not exceed $75,000.
Units are smaller than 29 square metres in size.
The work is classified as an eligible development in the DCC bylaw such as affordable rental housing for example.
Additional work to an existing development that does not impose any additional capital cost burdens on the municipality.

About the growth and DCC relationship

People love it here. West Kelowna's character, natural assets and amenities make it a place where people want to live, work and play and these drive demand for housing and related jobs, economic growth, and social and community well-being.

New construction requires new or enhanced infrastructure and additional services. Development cost charges are a co-investment strategy to account for new, expanded or enhanced drainage, parks, roads and sidewalks, sewers and water infrastructure that come with growth.

DCCs are integrated in the Official Community Plan, Development Cost Charges Bylaw, and the 20-year DCC Plan, which outlines the major infrastructure improvements for water distribution and treatment, wastewater pipes, major transportation corridors and parkland improvements and acquisitions.