A women’s physiotherapy clinic in Kelowna’s north end wants to move beyond its temporary permit and gain permanent status. The challenge? Its location is zoned industrial, and health services typically aren’t allowed.
Women’s physiotherapy clinic look to remain permanently at current north end site (Kelowna)
Key Takeaways:
- The clinic currently operates under a temporary use permit.
- It aims to secure permanent status at its Bay Avenue location in Kelowna’s north end.
- Industrial zoning in this area does not typically include health services.
- City approval would ensure permanent women’s physiotherapy services in the neighborhood.
- The article was first reported by Castanet on June 7, 2026.
Clinic at an Unlikely Location
A women’s physiotherapy clinic in Kelowna’s north end has been delivering specialized health services under a unique circumstance: it operates on land zoned industrial. Local regulations ordinarily limit activity there to industrial use, making health services an exception rather than the rule.
Navigating the Temporary Permit
At present, this physiotherapy clinic operates by virtue of a temporary use permit. This arrangement has allowed the clinic to offer its services despite the strict zoning guidelines. However, as the clock ticks, the clinic’s leadership has recognized the risk of not having a secure, long-term arrangement.
Requesting a Permanent Stay
Determined to ensure comprehensive and continuous healthcare, the clinic is petitioning city authorities for permission to stay permanently. According to the initial coverage, businesses classified as health services “are not a…” mainstream permitted use in industrial zones, which could complicate the request.
Community Significance
Kelowna residents who need women’s physiotherapy services benefit from having access to care close by, even if that care is located on an industrially zoned street. Advocates for the clinic argue that enabling permanent status would provide stability for patients and demonstrate flexibility in city planning for critical health services.
What’s Next?
While the future of the clinic’s request remains to be fully resolved, the drive to transform a temporary arrangement into a permanent solution highlights a broader issue: the intersection of zoning laws with evolving community needs. As Kelowna grows, how authorities address these overlapping interests will shape both the cityscape and the delivery of essential services.