Group C – single detached residential occupancy: Energy Step 4
Multi-unit residential occupancy of combustible construction (including hotels and motels): Energy Step 3
Group C – multi-unit residential occupancy of non-combustible construction: Built to BC Building Code
Group D – business and personal service occupancy: Built to BC Building Code
Group E – mercantile occupancy: Built to BC Building Code

Built to BC Building Code

Effective April 1, 2024, Kelowna Zoning Bylaw No. 12375 requires EV Ready charging infrastructure in all new all new Part 9 and Part 3 residential developments.

“EV Ready” (or “EV Readiness”) means that a parking space features an energized outlet capable of level 2 charging, via installation of dedicated circuits or an electric vehicle energy management system (EVEMS). Electric vehicle supply equipment is not required at the time of development.

https://apps.kelowna.ca/CityPage/Docs/PDFs/Bylaws/Zoning%20Bylaw%20No.%2012375.pdf

The City of Kelowna provides a parking Eco Pass for electric vehicles. Electric vehicles, including plug-in hybrids, can receive a one year eco pass which allows two hours of free parking a day in paid parking areas.

Implement policy actions from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

Implement capital projects from the Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

Through the development of BC Transit’s Transit Future Action Plan and its implementation, continue improving public transit service delivery

Develop a disruptive mobility strategy that aims to identify, analyze and plan for the impact of technological advances and trends in transportation (e.g. self-driving electric vehicles) on the future of the Central Okanagan and ensure that GHG reduction potential is maximised.

If successful, expand the pilot community bike share program.

Develop a community wide electric vehicle (EV) strategy. The strategy should include standards for City capital (i.e. parkades, parks, facilities), policies for development projects to include EV technology and infrastructure, and opportunities for other electric transport (e.g. e-bike and e-scooters) to charge.

Update the Zoning Bylaw to restrict drive-through uses in all applicable zones (include food, financial institutions, pharmacy, liquor) as they restrict walkability and encourage idling.

Through the Travel Demand Management Review project, identify opportunities to improve upon and enhance the effectiveness of Kelowna’s current TDM program. Implement the project recommendations once complete.

Through the Travel Demand Management Review project, identify opportunities to improve upon and enhance the effectiveness of Kelowna’s current TDM program. Implement the project recommendations once complete.

Implement an anti-idling bylaw as outlined in the Clean Air Strategy.

Investigate regulations and incentives for improvements to the City parking system to prioritize the use of alternative transportation modes.

Investigate options to integrate alternative fuels into fleets such as: City fleet, City contracted services and/or BC Transit

Investigate options for a regional fuel tax to support the expansion and improvement of the regional transit system and/or alternative forms of transportation as part of the Sustainable Transportation Partnership of the Central Okanagan (STPCO) and/or the Regional Transportation Plan.

Support ride-hailing and ride-sharing services to increase the travel options available and encourage overall reductions in vehicle kilometers traveled (VKT).

Partner with FortisBC on delivery and promotion of conservation and energy management programs, including New Home, Energy Conservation Assistance Program, Rental Apartment Efficiency Program, Commercial Custom Design Program and other residential and commercial rebates and offers.

Engage the building community on the regional Energy Step Code implementation strategy

Develop educational offerings to support a smooth transition to Energy Step Code implementation.

Develop a community energy retrofit strategy including regulation and incentives to encourage existing building stock to become more energy efficient.

Update Kelowna’s Building Bylaw to reference the Energy Step Code as a city-wide requirement for Part 9 buildings with an adoption timeline of Step 1 by April 2019, graduating to Step 3 by October 2020 (carriage houses would require Step 2 compliance at this time).

Relax the setback requirements in Kelowna’s Zoning Bylaw to ensure thicker walls to accommodate more insulation (common to buildings constructed to Steps 4 and 5 of the Energy Step Code).

Create a building permit fee rebate program for part 9 buildings to incentivize projects achieving Steps 4 and 5 of the Energy Step Code.

Investigate updating the OCP Development Permit Guidelines to be more inclusive of building energy efficiency.

Investigate options for implementing the Energy Step Code for Part 3 buildings once the Province makes it available for referencing in local policies and regulations.

Investigate adopting the higher steps (4 and 5) of the Energy Step Code once the Province makes it available for referencing in local policies and regulations, and after the lower steps (1 to 3) have been adopted.

Investigate financing models and other funding sources that would support city-wide deep energy retrofits

Implement the 2017 Solid Waste Management Plan (upon Ministry approval) to achieve its targets of 50 per cent waste diversion rate by 2022 and the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) to achieve an average municipal solid waste disposal rate of 600 kilograms per capita by 2022 (down from 680 kg in 2014).

Update the Zoning and Traffic Bylaws to incentivize car sharing based on “Car Sharing Policy Review Report” as reported to Council on September 18, 2017.

Update the Zoning and Traffic Bylaws to incentivize car sharing based on “Car Sharing Policy Review Report” as reported to Council on September 18, 2017.

Amend the Zoning Bylaw to establish updated parking minimums and maximums to discourage more parking than is required.

Amend the Zoning Bylaw to establish updated parking minimums and maximums to discourage more parking than is required.

Apply an infrastructure cost analysis (such as the Community Lifecycle Infrastructure Costing (CLIC) tool) to major OCP amendments and Area Sector Plan (ASP) applications, assessing both upfront capital costs and ongoing operational costs to the City of Kelowna.

Coordinate land use and transportation planning through the OCP, Transportation Master Plan and the Regional Strategic Transportation Plan updates to ensure policy and actions make it easier for people to choose sustainable travel modes

Coordinate land use and transportation planning through the OCP, Transportation Master Plan and the Regional Strategic Transportation Plan updates to ensure policy and actions make it easier for people to choose sustainable travel modes

As part of the OCP Update, reinforce the Permanent Growth Boundary.

For the 2040 OCP update, re-evaluate a more compact growth strategy that prioritizes development in the urban core and dis-incentivizes development in the fringe.

Investigate options to amend OCP policy and Zoning regulations for shared parking facilities in new and existing developments to maximize development potential and land use optimization in urban areas.

Investigate options to amend OCP policy and Zoning regulations for shared parking facilities in new and existing developments to maximize development potential and land use optimization in urban areas.

Investigate amendments to Bylaw 7900 Subdivision, Development and Servicing Bylaw to include pedestrian circulation and connectivity requirements to implement OCP Policy 7.8.4 “Promote mid-block pedestrian linkages between buildings in Urban Centres.”

Investigate incorporating a policy into the Official Community Plan to design neighbourhoods such that the site design, construction of buildings and corresponding infrastructure achieves more efficient energy and water use through a systems approach.

Investigate opportunities to increase both supply and demand of Renewable Natural Gas

Implement the Urban Forestry Strategy to achieve the target of 20% tree canopy cover.

Implement the actions of the 2017 Agriculture Plan to increase and encourage local food production.

Continue to implement the actions of the Clean Air Strategy.

Amend the landscape regulations in both Zoning and Subdivision Bylaws to include tree protection replacement requirements.

Investigate options to fund climate mitigation and adaptation initiatives.

a) Investigate developing a Climate Adaptation Plan to proactively prepare for anticipated changes in local climate. b) Develop a Climate Adaptation Plan contingent on outcomes of O6a

Investigate doing a Green Economy Study on how Kelowna could attract and develop more clean tech jobs and businesses. Look for opportunities to partner with the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission or others on the study.

Investigate adopting both a private and heritage tree protection bylaw.

Investigate process improvements to ensure that tree planting requirements (on public and private lands) are executed through on site construction.

Investigate the opportunity to use treated effluent from the Waste Water Treatment Facility (WWTF) for irrigation.

Investigate implementing or expanding education and engagement campaigns on climate action, including but not limited to: Eco-Driving Promoting the City’s corporate energy reduction initiatives to inspire other organizations. Residential solar system building options. Water conservation for the City’s water utility

Investigate opportunities in the Culture Plan update to incorporate climate change messaging through artistic work.

Advance early endorsement of the Energy Step Code so that the thousands of buildings constructed between now and 2032 (when the Province fully implements the Energy Step Code) incorporate efficiency measures which will have lasting impacts to building performance.

Invest more into alternative transportation, prioritizing alternative modes through proximity, connectivity and urban design.

Conduct a regional study to determine local feasibility, effectiveness and legislative authority for transportation pricing strategies for vehicle kilometers traveled and/or fuel consumption.

2023 Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee – Connecting downtown Kelowna with the Pandosy Urban Centre, this project used cost-effective techniques – such as reusable concrete curbs and more than 50 planter boxes – to create 1.2km of protected bike lanes along Abbott Street for less than a quarter of the cost of the original estimate to rebuild the street. The project was completed in September 2022, after just three weeks of construction work.

2023 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Winner – With wildfire now one of the most prevalent natural risks in the Okanagan, the City of Kelowna is delivering a community chipping program that facilitates the removal of highly flammable trees and shrubs from private property, addressing financial and logistical barriers of debris removal for residents while prioritizing areas of the city where homes are at greater risk for wildfire. The program started in 2022 and involved more than 250 properties; the 2023 program was subsequently fully subscribed in less than one month.

2022 CEA Climate and Energy Action Award Nominee