# Gov Handbook: West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada

> 24 answers about local government in West Kelowna. Hub page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/ · All answers as JSON: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/index.json · Full text: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/llms-full.txt

## Building, renovating and your property

- [West Kelowna building permits: when you need one and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/building-permit.md): In West Kelowna, most projects on private property need a building permit from the City's Building Department before work starts. Apply in person at City Hall with the documents on the checklist for your project type. Call 778-797-8820 if you are unsure.
- [West Kelowna fence rules: permits and height limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/fence-rules.md): In West Kelowna, the Zoning Bylaw lets a residential fence be 2.0 m (6.6 ft) high, but only 1.22 m (4.0 ft) near the front or exterior side lot line. The City's text does not say whether an ordinary fence needs a permit; pool fences do. Call 778-797-8820.
- [West Kelowna permits for decks, sheds, carports and garages](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/deck-shed-garage-permit.md): In West Kelowna, a deck or patio less than 0.6 m (about 2 ft) above the ground is exempt from the Building Regulations Bylaw. No City text states a size limit for sheds, garages or carports, so call the Building Department at 778-797-8820 before you build.
- [West Kelowna building permit fees](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/building-permit-fees.md): A West Kelowna building permit costs a non-refundable application fee of $150 to $5,500 (by construction value) plus a permit fee of 1.14% of the construction value, minimum $100. Fees are set in Schedule 2 of the City's Fees and Charges Bylaw 0028.
- [West Kelowna zoning: find your zone and what it allows](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/zoning-lookup.md): Look up your address on the City of West Kelowna's WestMap viewer to see your zone, then read that zone's rules in Zoning Bylaw 0320. Development Services (778-797-8830) can confirm what is allowed on your lot.
- [West Kelowna secondary suite and carriage house rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/secondary-suite.md): Yes, in many West Kelowna zones you can add a secondary suite inside a single detached home (up to 110 m² or 40% of the home's habitable floor area, whichever is less), and in some zones a carriage house. Both need a building permit. Confirm your zone first.
- [West Kelowna tree removal rules and permits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/tree-removal.md): West Kelowna has no general tree bylaw. On private land, clearing trees inside a Development Permit Area (Hillside, Aquatic or Sensitive Terrestrial Ecosystem) needs a Development Permit unless exempt. Call Development Services at 778-797-8830.

## Garbage, recycling and waste

- [West Kelowna garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/garbage-collection.md): West Kelowna's curbside garbage is collected every week from single-family homes, in a 120 L or 240 L cart, with collection run by e360 Solutions for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO). Find your day on the RDCO pick-up schedule and maps. The fee is $48.67 a quarter in 2026 for garbage and yard waste.
- [West Kelowna yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/yard-waste.md): West Kelowna single-family homes get a green-lidded yard waste cart, emptied every other week. The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) says March 1 to December 31; the City's bylaw says March to November. Extra yard waste can go to the Asquith Road Transfer Station, from $1 per bag.

## Water, sewer, roads and snow

- [West Kelowna watering restrictions](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/water-restrictions.md): Yes. In the City of West Kelowna, Stage 1 watering restrictions apply all year unless Stage 2, 3 or 4 is declared. Sprinkling is never allowed from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check the City's Outdoor Watering Regulations page for the current stage before you water.

## Pets, animals and wildlife

- [West Kelowna dog licences: fees and how to get one](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-licence.md): In West Kelowna, dog licences are issued by the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), not the City. Every dog three months or older needs one. The fee is $40 a year if spayed or neutered and $80 if not, or $20 and $60 if paid by the last day of February. Register or renew online.
- [West Kelowna dog leash rules and off-leash areas](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dog-leash-rules.md): In West Kelowna, a dog must be on a secure leash held by its owner, 2 metres or less, on any street or public place, unless it is in a designated off-leash park or area. The City sets park rules; the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) runs dog control.
- [West Kelowna rules for aggressive and dangerous dogs](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/dangerous-dogs.md): In West Kelowna, the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) decides whether a dog is nuisance, aggressive or dangerous under Bylaw No. 1343. Aggressive dogs must be on a held leash or in a fenced yard; dangerous dogs must be muzzled and leashed or locked up. Report attacks to RDCO Dog Control at 250-469-6284.
- [How many dogs or cats you can keep in West Kelowna](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/how-many-pets.md): In West Kelowna, no more than 3 dogs over three months old may be kept in a house or dwelling unit, under the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) dog bylaw. No fixed number is set for cats, only pets "in a reasonable number" that do not bother neighbours.
- [West Kelowna backyard chickens, bees and livestock rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-chickens.md): In West Kelowna you can keep backyard chickens on lots over 400 square metres, up to 5 small livestock (chickens, other poultry, rabbits) on lots up to 2,500 square metres, under the Regional District of Central Okanagan's Animal Control Bylaw 880. No roosters on lots of 400 to 1,500 square metres. No bee rules were found.

## Parking, tickets and driving

- [West Kelowna RV, boat and trailer parking rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/rv-boat-trailer-parking.md): In West Kelowna, you may not park on a street for more than 48 hours in the same block, and a trailer on a street must be attached to a vehicle that can tow it. On a residential lot, the Zoning Bylaw allows no more than 2 recreational vehicles parked outside and 1 unlicensed trailer.

## Bylaws, noise and complaints

- [West Kelowna noise bylaw: quiet hours, construction hours and fines](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/noise-rules.md): West Kelowna's Good Neighbour Bylaw bans noise that disturbs the neighbourhood at any hour, but sets no fixed quiet hours for ordinary noise. It does set hours for two things: motorized lawn and garden equipment is banned 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., and construction noise before 7:00 a.m. or after 8:00 p.m.
- [West Kelowna unsightly property rules and how to report](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/unsightly-property.md): Report it to West Kelowna Bylaw Compliance (778-797-8810, bylaws@westkelownacity.ca or the online service request). The Good Neighbour Bylaw bars owners and occupiers from letting a property become or stay unsightly, or letting rubbish or dead vegetation and weeds build up.
- [West Kelowna backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/backyard-fire.md): In West Kelowna a small campfire for warmth or cooking is allowed unless a campfire ban is in effect, and you may not burn yard waste or garbage in it. Open burning of piles needs a permit from the Fire Chief (West Kelowna Fire Rescue, 778-797-3200), and only in the burning season.
- [West Kelowna fireworks rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/fireworks.md): No, not for residents. In West Kelowna only professional public fireworks displays are permitted, and only with the Fire Chief's written permission. Selling fireworks in the City is banned, and exploding fireworks in a City park without a permit is banned.
- [West Kelowna bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/bylaw-fines.md): West Kelowna uses two ticket systems: bylaw notices (Bylaw 0093) and municipal tickets (Bylaw 0095). Common fines run from $50 for parking over 48 hours to $500 for disturbing noise or unsightly property. You have 14 days to pay or dispute. Dog tickets are issued by the Regional District, not the City.

## Starting and running a business

- [West Kelowna business licences: who needs one, fees and how to apply](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/business-licence.md): Yes. Anyone who owns or operates a business in the City of West Kelowna, including home-based businesses and independent contractors, needs a City business licence. Apply in person at the Business Licence Desk at City Hall; usual processing is two weeks.
- [West Kelowna home-based business rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/home-based-business.md): Yes. In the City of West Kelowna, any business run from your principal residence needs a business licence and must follow the Zoning Bylaw as a "minor" or "major" home-based business. The licence is $60 a year, or $135 with an annual fire inspection.

## Housing and renting

- [West Kelowna short-term rental rules (Airbnb, Vrbo)](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/short-term-rental.md): Yes, if you own and live in the home. West Kelowna requires a City short-term rental business licence ($250 application fee plus $500 a year) and a provincial registration number. Rentals must be under 30 consecutive days and in a permitted zone.

## Zoning

- [All 41 zones in West Kelowna, as JSON](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/zoning/index.json)
- Zone of an address: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/west-kelowna/zoning/lookup?address=123+Main+St