We mentioned in our infill rules post that steep-slope requirements can limit what's practically buildable on a Dilworth lot regardless of what provincial zoning now allows. This is the deeper dive on what that actually means — because it affects renovation and building plans on existing Dilworth homes too, not just new infill.
What Counts as "Hillside" Under City of Kelowna Rules
Kelowna defines hillside development as land in its natural state with a slope angle of 10% or greater over a minimum horizontal distance of 6 metres. A meaningful share of Dilworth Mountain's terrain qualifies — it's part of what gives the neighbourhood its views in the first place. If a lot (or even part of a lot) meets that threshold, it typically falls under the City's Hazardous Condition Development Permit Area, which means a development permit — and usually a geotechnical report — is required before certain building or site-altering work can proceed.
What a Geotechnical Report Actually Covers
This isn't a quick site visit and a sign-off. A proper geotechnical assessment for a Dilworth hillside property addresses:
- Slope and seismic stability — including how stormwater infiltration, irrigation runoff, and septic effluent (where applicable) affect the slope over time
- Rockfall hazard — any existing rock face over 3 metres high requires a defined rockfall run-out zone to be established
- Design input — confirming the hillside development guidelines are actually incorporated into the building design, not just acknowledged on paper
Retaining Walls Have Their Own Rules
Any retaining wall or engineered slope over 1.2 metres high needs to meet Engineers and Geoscientists of BC professional practice guidelines — meaning a licensed professional needs to be involved in the design, not just the contractor pouring it. If you're looking at a Dilworth listing with a tall retaining wall already in place, it's worth asking whether it was professionally engineered and whether documentation exists, since redoing a non-compliant wall later is a real cost, not a hypothetical one.
What we check before you offer on a sloped Dilworth lot: whether the property falls within the Hazardous Condition Development Permit Area, whether any existing retaining walls over 1.2m have engineering documentation, and whether a prior owner's renovation or addition actually went through the DP process — not just a building permit.
This Doesn't Mean "Avoid Sloped Lots"
Virtually every Dilworth property with a real view is on some degree of slope — that's the trade-off that makes the neighbourhood what it is. The geotechnical and DP requirements exist to make sure that slope stays stable, which protects your investment as much as it adds a step to the buying or building process. The practical move is factoring the DP timeline and potential geotechnical cost into your planning early, especially if you're buying with renovation or addition plans, rather than discovering it mid-project.
We'll confirm whether it falls under the hillside development permit area before you write an offer.