B4.1Advocate to higher levels of government to add heat-risk reduction elements to the local building code, such as thermal insulation, roof reflectance, space cooling requirements, and shading.

Kelowna relies on provincial regulators to make changes to the BC Building Code, as a provincial responsibility to ensure building safety. Consistent province-wide building code regulations will help support local adoption of climate resilient building design.

In 2024, the BC Building Code was updated to require all new homes to have at least one living space designed to not exceed a temperature of 26°C. This requirement aims to protect residents, especially vulnerable populations, from overheating during hot weather by ensuring access to a temperature-controlled refuge.

City staff are investigating options for achieving tree canopy targets identified in the 2024 Sustainable Urban Forest Strategy through development permiting (2023 regulatory updates requiring improved soil areas for new trees, protecting trees identified as viable to be retained post-development). Research into locally relevant climate resilient roofing techniques is being undertaken (2024-2025).