Under the Electoral Area Zoning Bylaws, the maximum floor area currently permitted for a secondary suite and an accessory dwelling is generally limited to 90.0 m² (NOTE: an exception is provided in some zones for accessory dwellings to have a larger floor area if the overall number of accessory dwelling units is reduced).

This floor area allowance is based on a regulation that was previously contained within the BC Building Code that limited the maximum size of a secondary suite to 90.0 m² or 40% of the floor area of the dwelling unit, but was removed from the Building Code following provincial amendments in December of 2019.

In announcing these changes, the province stated that “allowing the construction of more secondary suites in more building types helps create more housing units while providing an acceptable level of health and fire safety to occupants. Secondary suites also help provide more affordable housing options, and by making more efficient use of land and infrastructure, they support community vitality and sustainability.”

At its meeting of September 3, 2020, the Regional District Board accepted the Okanagan Falls 2020 Economic Development and Recovery Plan as a guiding document.  This plan included, amongst other things, the following “Action Item” (1.3):

Complete a review of zoning regulations in Okanagan Falls to ensure that single family residential lots have the flexibility to construct a carriage home or a secondary suite suitable for young families (i.e. review of maximum floor area and number of bedrooms).

At its meeting of October 15, 2020, the Planning and Development Committee of the Regional District Board resolved "THAT the maximum floor area of a secondary suite and accessory dwelling be set at 125.0 m² in the Draft South Okanagan Electoral Area Zoning Bylaw No. 2800."

It is now being proposed that these changes move forward separate from Draft Zoning Bylaw No. 2800 due to on-going queries from the public regarding the timing of the change as well as active compliance issues.