How many homes can I build in Penticton?
What BC's housing laws and Penticton's own zones allow on house lots, counted lot by lot from public data. To check one lot, find it on the map and open its card.
What BC law requires
Under BC's Bill 44 (2023), lots zoned for houses or duplexes inside the urban containment boundary must allow at least 3 homes on lots up to 280 m², 4 homes on larger lots, and 6 homes on lots of at least 281 m² near a frequent bus stop. Under Bill 47, land near SkyTrain stations and bus exchanges is a transit-oriented area where the city can't refuse taller buildings on height or density grounds alone (up to 20 storeys right next to a SkyTrain station).
The city's own zones can allow more than this. Lots in the Agricultural Land Reserve, outside the urban boundary, or on hazard land are treated differently.
Lots in Penticton by homes allowed
- 4 homes (lots over 280 m²)6,560 lots
- 3 homes (lots up to 280 m²)389 lots
Our estimate per lot from lot size, distance to frequent transit and SkyTrain, the urban boundary and the farmland reserve.
House lots by size
| Up to 280 m² (3,014 ft²) | 384 lots |
| 280–557 m² (3,014–6,000 ft²) | 1,665 lots |
| 557–1,000 m² (6,000–10,764 ft²) | 3,914 lots |
| Over 1,000 m² (10,764 ft²) | 1,074 lots |
Lot size decides the 3- versus 4-home threshold and, in most zones, how much floor space you can build.
What Penticton's zones allow
| Zone | Lots | Homes allowed (city bylaw) |
|---|---|---|
| R4-L | 4,098 | 4 dwelling units (any mix of single detached, secondary suite, carriage house, duplexes, townhouse, small apartment) |
| R4-S | 2,870 | 4 dwelling units (any mix of single detached, secondary suite, carriage house, duplexes, townhouse, small apartment) |
| RC | 69 | 2 (single detached dwelling + secondary suite OR carriage house, not both) |
Zoning changes in progress
- Zoning Amendment Bylaw No. 2026-26 (434 Lakeshore Drive West) draft bylaw posted as a 2026 public notice; reading dates blank; not in the October 2026 consolidation (adoption not confirmed)
Site rezoning of 434 Lakeshore Dr W from R4-L to RM3 and deletes R4-S site-specific provision 10.2.5.1.f; no change to zone-wide rules. source ↗
Sources: BC Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act 2023 (Bill 44) and Bill 47; City of Penticton Zoning Bylaw No. 2024-22 (adopted 2024-06-18; office consolidation 'Consolidated Package October 2026', most recent amendment included Bylaw 2026-35 effective 2026-10-20) ↗; ParcelMap BC; the city's open zoning data. Estimates only: confirm with Penticton before buying or designing. Page rebuilt October 25, 2026.