City service to be offered remotely for Kelowna residents

The City of Kelowna has announced that from now on, city services will be delivered remotely.

The temporary change is effective today at 4 pm. Services will continue to be available by phone, e-mail and appointment only, during regular business hours.

The Kelowna International Airport (YLW), RCMP Police Services front counters and Glenmore Landfill scale house remain open and City Yards Warehouse will stay open for deliveries.

As of Monday, March 23, the City will only accept non-cash payments to help streamline services and reduce interactions.

Citizens are encouraged to use online services and the service request system when possible

While not all City services are offered online, residents and business owners can do things such as; view utility bills, request an inspection, apply for various permits, register a bylaw infraction, report graffiti, listen to Council meetings, participate in online public engagement exercises and more.

The City’s online services can be accessed here.

“We are following the advice of B.C.’s Chief Medical Health Officer and continue to adjust our operations to help reduce the spread of COVID-19,” says Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran.

“We appreciate everyone’s patience as we transition to this new way of delivering services during these unprecedented times. Our top priority remains the health and safety of our employees and the public and we are doing everything we can to minimize impacts and maintain customer service.”

The following City facilities will be closed for public drop-in:

• City Hall is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8500.
• Monday, March 23 City Council meeting will go ahead as scheduled and the public is encouraged to listen online here.
• Development Services and Building Permits is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8960 or email developmentservicesinfo@kelowna.ca.
• Planning Services is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8626 or email planninginfo@kelowna.ca.
• Business Licensing is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8617
• Bylaw Services office is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8686.
• All fire halls are closed to the public. Fire Hall 1 (Enterprise) will be open for permits, by appointment only. Please call 250-469-8801.
• City yards is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8600.
• Human Resources is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8528.
• Purchasing is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-469-8530 or email purchasing@kelowna.ca.
• Wastewater treatment plant is closed to the public.
• Memorial Park Cemetery office is closed to the public, except by appointment. Please call 250-862-5518. The park remains open between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.
• The 10 recreation facilities announced on Tuesday remain closed to the public. They can be reached at 250-807-4300.
• All parks remain open however people are required to practice social distancing.

YLW terminal and administration office continues to be open to the public and LiveChat is available at ylw.kelowna.ca.

The main City Reception line at 250-469-8500 or ask@kelowna.ca will continue to be operational Monday to Friday 8 am – 4 pm for inquiries. After hour emergency contact procedures remain the same.

Safe work procedures are in place for staff who continue to interact with the public, including social distancing and enhanced cleaning at all City facilities.

“The City of Kelowna continues to follow the advice of the BC Chief Medical Health Officer and will make updates to service delivery as required. The City’s Critical Response Team is continuing to advance business continuity plans to ensure the ongoing delivery of key critical services and is working with our regional partners on advance planning scenarios to support provincial and regional efforts,” says Risk Manager Lance Kayfish.