PlaceDossier / Zoning / Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen
Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 2800, 2022
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's zoning bylaw, which applies in Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area D, Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area F, Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area E, Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area C, Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area I, Okanagan-Similkameen, Electoral Area A. Our summary of its 15 resource, agriculture, large and small holdings and low density residential zones, read from the consolidation to 2026-09-24 and checked 2026-10-05. Its other zones aren't summarised here.
The zones side by side
| Zone | Homes allowed | Smallest lot for a subdivision | Lot coverage | Height limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RA Resource Area | One house or mobile home and one secondary suite; plus accessory dwellings by lot size: 1 (125 m² in all) under 8 ha, 2 (250 m²) from 8 ha, 3 (375 m²) from 12 ha, 4 (500 m²) from 16 ha (s. 12.1.4) | 20 ha | 35% on lots under 2,500 m², 20% up to 2 ha, 5% over 2 ha (75% for a greenhouse) | 10 m |
| AG1 Agriculture One | One house or mobile home and one secondary suite; plus accessory dwellings by lot size: 1 (125 m² in all) under 8 ha, 2 (250 m²) from 8 ha, 3 (375 m²) from 12 ha, 4 (500 m²) from 16 ha (s. 13.1.4) | 4 ha | 35% on lots under 2,500 m², 20% up to 2 ha, 10% over 2 ha (75% for a greenhouse) | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m on lots under 2,500 m² |
| AG3 Agriculture Three | One house or mobile home and one secondary suite; plus accessory dwellings by lot size: 1 (125 m² in all) under 8 ha, 2 (250 m²) from 8 ha, 3 (375 m²) from 12 ha, 4 (500 m²) from 16 ha (s. 13.3.4) | 20 ha | 35% on lots under 2,500 m², 20% up to 2 ha, 10% over 2 ha (75% for a greenhouse) | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m on lots under 2,500 m² |
| LH1 Large Holdings One | One house or mobile home and one secondary suite; plus accessory dwellings by lot size: 1 (125 m² in all) under 8 ha, 2 (250 m²) from 8 ha, 3 (375 m²) from 12 ha, 4 (500 m²) from 16 ha (s. 14.1.4) | 4 ha | 35% on lots under 2,500 m², 20% up to 2 ha, 10% over 2 ha (75% for a greenhouse) | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m on lots under 2,500 m² |
| LH2 Large Holdings Two | One house or mobile home and one secondary suite; plus accessory dwellings by lot size: 1 (125 m² in all) under 8 ha, 2 (250 m²) from 8 ha, 3 (375 m²) from 12 ha, 4 (500 m²) from 16 ha (s. 14.2.4) | 8 ha | 35% on lots under 2,500 m², 20% up to 2 ha, 10% over 2 ha (75% for a greenhouse) | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m on lots under 2,500 m² |
| SH1 Small Holdings One | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 15.1.4) | 2,500 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 35% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| SH2 Small Holdings Two | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 15.2.4) | 5,000 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 25% | 10 m |
| SH3 Small Holdings Three | One house, one secondary suite and one accessory dwelling (s. 15.3.4) | 1 ha | 20% | 10 m |
| SH4 Small Holdings Four | One house, one secondary suite and one accessory dwelling (s. 15.4.4) | 2 ha | 15% | 10 m |
| SH5 Small Holdings West Bench | One house; the zone lists no secondary suite or accessory dwelling (s. 15.5.4) | 2 ha, unless the new lots are on community sewer and stormwater management (s. 15.5.2) | 30% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| RS1 Low Density Residential One | One house and one secondary suite (s. 16.1.4); the zone lists no accessory dwelling | 350 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 50% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| RS2 Low Density Residential Two | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 16.2.4) | 500 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 40% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| RS3 Low Density Residential Three | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 16.3.4) | 1,000 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 35% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
| RS4 Low Density Residential Apex | One house, and one secondary suite or one accessory dwelling (s. 16.4.4) | 1,000 m² on community water and sewer, otherwise 1 ha (s. 8.1.4) | 45% | 10 m; accessory buildings 5.5 m |
| RS5 Low Density Residential West Bench | One house; the zone lists no secondary suite or accessory dwelling (s. 16.5.4) | 2 ha, unless the new lots are on community sewer and stormwater management (s. 16.5.2) | 30% | 10 m; accessory buildings 4.5 m |
"Not set" means the zone itself sets no figure; general rules elsewhere in the bylaw may still apply. Each zone's page has its uses, setbacks and the general rules that apply to it.
Site-specific exceptions listed in the bylaw by legal description can add or change uses for one property, and development permit areas, the ALR and building rules apply on top. Confirm with the RDOS's planning department before you buy or build.
Source: Okanagan Valley Zoning Bylaw No. 2800, 2022 (summarised in our words); zone map: Open Government Licence – Regional District Okanagan Similkameen.