City makes it easier to connect online

The City of Kelowna is working towards making more services available online, reducing the need to visit a physical city location.

To make services easier to access online, the city has introduced several improvements on its website.

Recent changes to the city’s homepage make it so residents can more quickly and easily report an issue, and request or access services online. New action buttons have been added to kelowna.ca encouraging residents to apply, pay, report/request or explore. These four categories will refine the list of online services the city provides and simplify the process of accessing them. To request and access services online, visit kelowna.ca or kelowna.ca/onlineservices.

“We know Kelowna residents are passionate about this city and take pride in their communities,” said Jazz Pabla, Information Services Department Director. “This inspires us to examine the way we provide services and make improvements that will increase customer satisfaction and reduce barriers to accessing city services or letting us know about issues that need addressing.”

Additionally, the city has updated its processes so that residents and developers can access, complete, submit and pay for building permit applications fully online. To learn more and start your next application, visit kelowna.ca/build.

“This is one more step in an ongoing journey to make it easier and more convenient to do business with the city,” said Ryan Smith, Divisional Director, Planning and Development Services. “The COVID-19 pandemic makes these types of initiatives all the more important as we adhere to physical distancing recommendations for safety, but also ensure that residents and developers can move forward as efficiently as possible with their important projects.”

Building permits are required for new buildings and changes to existing buildings such as renovations, additions, flood or fire restorations, legalizing or removing a suite and any alterations that involve removal or replacement of drywall. The required permits protect building investments by ensuring the proposed development complies with City bylaws and the BC Building Code, which establishes minimum levels of safety for occupants.

For more information, visit kelowna.ca.