The Regional District of East Kootenay has developed community plans, land use strategies, and zoning bylaws to help manage development within its boundaries.

Community Plans
Community plans provide a broad vision and strategic direction for land use change. They are formally adopted by bylaw and can only be amended through a public hearing process. Community plans direct development into designated areas and away from lands that are environmentally sensitive or subject to hazard. Future land uses, major roads and utility services are also identified. Areas where community plans are in effect in the RDEK include:

Land Use Strategies
Land Use Strategies have a similar purpose to a community plan, but are adopted by Board resolution. Land Use Strategies are in effect in the Elk Valley and Toby Benches

Zoning Bylaws
Zoning Bylaws are used to regulate land use activity. Permitted uses and maximum parcel size requirements are prescribed for each zone together with maximum building heights, setbacks and parking requirements. Zoning bylaws are in effect in the following areas:

Rural Land Use Bylaws
Rural Land Use Bylaws combine strategic planning policies and zoning provisions in one single bylaw. In the RDEK, we have Rural Land Use Bylaws in Wycliffe, Jaffray/Rosen Lake/Tie Lake, and Wasa/Ta Ta Creek/Skookumchuck/Sheep Creek.

Other

The RDEK also has a few other planning bylaws and policies in effect including:

• Mobile Home Park Bylaw

• Subdivision and Servicing Bylaw

• Columbia Lake Management Policy

• Columbia Valley Development Policy

• East Side of Windermere Lake Foreshore Policy

• Flood Hazard Requirements in Unzoned Areas Policy

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