FAQs
- focusing higher density development within the Town Centre and other serviced areas, and;
- strengthening protection of farmland and open space through updated guidelines for the Agricultural Development Permit Area.
- continues to be focused on the Town Centre and other serviced areas, while strengthening protection of farmland and open space, with new housing and development directed to the right places.
- happens where there is capacity for water, roads, and services, and where it makes financial sense long-term.
- supports neighbourhoods where people can live, shop, access services, and get around more easily without relying on a car.
- responding to provincial requirements and local demand by supporting a wider range of housing options.
- Focusing active transportation planning objectives on improving how people get to daily needs, whether by walking, cycling, transit, or driving.
- meaningful commitment to building respectful, ongoing relationships with Indigenous communities.
- inclusive public spaces, recreation, arts and culture, and community connection.
- climate and environmental resilience by going beyond protecting natural areas to preparing for climate impacts like wildfire and water supply.
- Supporting local agriculture and food systems, with stronger support for agricultural land, local food production, and farm viability.
- Agricultural
- Multiple Unit
- Town Center Commercial
- Commercial DPA
- Agri-Tourism Accommodation
- Industrial
- Natural Environment
- Hillside
- Stability, Erosion & Drainage Hazard
- Wildland Fire
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction & Resource Conservation
- Agricultural
- Multiple Unit
- Town Center Commercial
- Commercial
- Industrial
- Natural Environment
- Stability, Erosion & Drainage Hazard
- Wildland Fire
What is an Official Community Plan (OCP)?
The Official Community Plan (OCP) is the long-term vision and direction for how Lake Country will grow and change over the next 20 years.
Why does the Official Community Plan (OCP) need to be updated?
Lake Country’s existing OCP was last updated in 2018. Prior to 2024, Provincial legislation required municipalities in B.C. to update their OCPs every 10-years.
Recent changes to the Local Government Act now require the OCP be updated every 5-years to ensure the plan accommodates the estimated housing needs over a 20-year horizon.
How is the OCP used in DLC by planners and in decision-making by Council?
The plan considers 20-years of growth and change based on demographic projections, housing needs assessment, land capacity analysis, and input from other technical documents and master plans. The policies and statement in the plan guide municipal decisions about land use, housing, transportation, infrastructure, the environment, and community amenities. Council, staff and the public weight the merits of development, infrastructure improvements, land acquisitions, etc against the principles and objectives outlined in the OCP.
How does this OCP protect Lake Country’s rural character and why is there a need to grow?
The 2026 OCP update balances the legal requirement to accommodate growth with the continued protection to the community’s rural character by:
Where growth is identified to occur, how may it impact my property if I reside nearby?
As a first step you should identify how your lands and neighbouring lands have been designated and review the objectives and policies that would describe the type of development that could be supported for those lands. If you have more questions connect with staff: [email protected] or (778) 738-2725.
How has the community participated in the 2026 OCP update?
Community and stakeholder conversations followed an engagement plan and included the following opportunities to provide input:
PHASE 1 Background + Visioning [June - Oct 2025]
Aug-Oct 2025 Community Visioning Survey
Click here for a summary of what we heard in Phase 1
PHASE 2 Community Development Options [Oct 2025 - Jan 2026]
Dec 11 & 12 Community Open House
Dec-Jan 2025 Community Options Survey
Jan 18, 2025 Oyama Community Club for Social Sunday
Jan 28, 2026 Neighbourhood Open House, Carr's Landing
Jan 31, 2026 Neighbourhood Open House, Windfield
Mar 5, 2026 Neighbourhood Open House, Okanagan Centre
Click here for a summary of what we heard in Phase 2
PHASE 3 Developing the Plan: Draft 1 [Jan-Apr 2026]
Mar-Apr 2026 Community Survey
Apr 8, 2026 Community Open House
Apr 9, 2026 Community Open House
Check out the Committee of the Whole meeting on May 19, 2026 for a summary of what we heard in Phase 3
PHASE 4 Refining the Plan: Draft 2 [Apr-June 2026] WE ARE HERE
May 8, 2026 Council workshop
May 20 & 21 2026 Community Open Houses
PHASE 5 Formal Adoption Process [July 2026]
July 2, 2026 Draft OCP introduction to Council
TBD Public Hearing to share your thoughts directly with Council
How does the 2026 update of the OCP differs from the 2018 OCP?
The 2026 update to the Official Community Plan (OCP) builds on the foundation of the 2018 OCP, while introducing a clearer and more integrated approach to managing growth and change. Key improvements include:
Growth that matches what the community can support - We’re making sure new development:
follows simpler and clearer development rules improving clarity for residents, applicants, Council and staff on how development is reviewed.
A stronger focus on meeting community needs and provincial requirements
Stronger focus on community & culture - The plan places more emphasis on:
A plan that is easier to use and track over time - The new OCP is more streamlined and includes better tools for monitoring progress and making updates.
What data and technical reports were used to inform updates to the OCP?
How do updates to the OCP protect overall water quality of our lakes?
The plan requires development located within environmentally sensitive development permit areas, including riparian areas, be subject to a development permit process. The development permit regulations have been reviewed to ensure they are current and reflect best practices from minimizing the negative impacts of development and land alteration on the ecosystem. The development permit process allows staff to require professional reports and assessments to ensure development decisions are informed by the advice of qualified professionals.
How do these OCP updates help improve delivery of housing, support aging in place for seniors or soon to be seniors who reside in Lake Country?
The updated document recognizes the community’s 20-year housing need and ensures the District’s land use designations accommodate the projected need and support a wider range of housing options. The proposed OCP also includes simpler and clearer development rules improving clarity for residents, applicants, Council and staff on how development is reviewed.
How will changes to the OCP be reviewed to determine their success?
The proposed OCP includes a monitoring framework to assist on reporting and assessing progress. Refer to the draft OCP document to learn more about the framework.
How will updates to Development Permit guidelines improve review process?
The proposed OCP has a modern and user-friendly format to assist in the review of development requirements.
The draft OCP also proposes to streamline the development approvals process by reducing the number of DPAs from 11 to 8, through rewording and integrating the principles of the Greenhouse Gas DPA, the Agri-Tourism DPA, and the Hillside DPA into the 8 remaining DPA’s.
2018 OCP - Current DPAs | 2026 OCP – Proposed DPAs |
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