Okanagan Falls Incorporation Moves Forward
The Province has issued the Letters Patent formally establishing the District of Okanagan Falls, bringing the community one step closer to becoming British Columbia’s newest municipality.
Residents voted in favour of incorporation in March 2025. Following additional provincial engagement and the completion of the Letters Patent process, the new municipality is expected to officially incorporate on November 6, 2026, at the first meeting of its newly elected council.
The first municipal election will be held as part of the provincewide general local elections on October 17, 2026. Residents will elect one mayor and four councillors who will be responsible for setting local priorities and making decisions on behalf of the new municipality.
This is a significant moment for Okanagan Falls. Incorporation will give residents a locally elected council focused specifically on the needs of their community, replacing the current system in which the area is represented by one regional district director.
The transition will also bring changes to how local services are governed and delivered. Services such as land use planning, roads, subdivision approval and property tax collection will eventually become municipal responsibilities. Most Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen services will transfer at incorporation, while the RDOS will continue to manage water and sewer services for three years and deliver some other services under contract during the first year.
The District’s boundaries will generally include the private properties that were eligible to participate in the 2025 incorporation vote, excluding two neighbouring properties held by the Osoyoos Indian Band and its members. Most Crown land has also been excluded from the municipal boundary.
Throughout this process, I heard from residents who supported incorporation as well as those who raised serious questions about consultation, boundaries, services, taxation and the future identity of the community. Those concerns deserve to remain part of the conversation as the transition moves forward.
While the Province has now made its decision, there is still important work ahead. Residents need clear, timely information about the election, service delivery, taxation, infrastructure and the transfer of responsibilities to the new municipality.
I will continue advocating for transparency throughout the transition and working to ensure the Province provides residents, the RDOS and the future council with the support and information they need.
This is a new chapter for Okanagan Falls. I congratulate the community on reaching this milestone and encourage residents to remain engaged as they prepare to elect their first mayor and council.
Key dates
October 17, 2026: Election of the first mayor and four councillors
November 6, 2026: Official incorporation and first council meeting
Residents can find additional information through the Province’s Okanagan Falls incorporation page and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.