Move Here

Welcome to Penticton Guide

Download Your 'Just Moved' Checklist

• Set Up Your City Utilities Account (Electricity & Water)

  To set up a utilities account, you’ll need two pieces of ID with your signature, and if you’re renting, a copy of your rental agreement. Visit our Electric & Water Accounts page for everything you need to know. 

• Garbage, Recycling & Yard Waste

  View your residential garbage collection schedule online. You'll also find lots of information about waste collection on our website. 

  After you move, you’ll have a lot of packing materials and other household items.

  Tips

  • Once a year, large items such as furniture or appliances are picked up at curbside.
  • Yard waste and recycling is collected on alternating weeks.
  • You can purchase stickers for additional garbage (over the 2 bag limit) at City Hall, 171 Main St.

  Recycling & Landfill Items

  Other waste such as glass, plastic wrap, beverage containers or paint can be taken to J&C Bottle Depot (200 Rosetown Ave).

  You can also return many items, including old appliances, batteries, and household hazardous waste, to the Campbell Mountain Landfill (1765 Reservoir Road). This is also a great place to recycle your cardboard boxes after unpacking!

  Visit our Recycling page for further details about what can go in your blue bin. 

• Find Your People

  Penticton is a welcoming community with many opportunities for social and business networking.

  Visit our Get Connected webpage for a list of community groups and our Get Involved page for details about how to volunteer. 

• Change Your Address Checklist

  Here are some helpful tips of where you can go to change your address details for various items. 

  • Contact FortisBC to transfer your existing natural gas account. If you’re new to B.C., you’ll need to set up an account. Calling at least two days prior to your move-in date is recommended. 1-888-224-2710.
  • Transfer your telephone, internet and/or cable account. If you require a new account, you’ll find several telecommunications in Penticton, including Shaw, Bell, Telus, Rogers and the local service provider, ABC Communications.
  • Visit any auto plan agency to update your auto insurance and address.
  • Visit Service Canada at 386 Ellis Street to update your passport or to discuss issues including your EI, CPP, Disability Benefits or Foreign Credentials Referral.

  Visit Service B.C. at 40 Calgary Avenue for the following:

  • Updating the address on your B.C. driver’s licence or to switch to a B.C. driver’s licence from another province or country.
  • Updating or enrolling in the provincial healthcare program (Medical Services Plan), which is required for B.C. residents. You can also apply online.
  • Updating or registering to vote provincially.
• Find a Doctor

  To find a family doctor, you can add your name to a centralized waitlist at divisionsbc.ca/sos. You can also check the find-a-physician tool maintained by the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons and call around to add your name to specific doctors' waiting lists. 

  Here are some options while you are waiting to be connected with a family doctor:

  Penticton's Walk-In Clinics

  • Apple Plaza Walk-In: 1848 Main Street
  • Peach City Medical & Urgent Care: Cherry Lane Mall

  Penticton Urgent and Primary Care Centre  

  If you do not have a family doctor / nurse practitioner, or you are unable to get an appointment with your care provider that day, you can visit the UPCC. UPCC patients are seen based on urgency, not on a first come first serve basis. While they don't book appointments, it is recommended that you phone250-770-3696 and talk to one of their registered nurses prior to coming in to the UPCC. A health-care team is available to provide care for your health issues. You may see one or more of the following health professionals depending on your care needs:

  • Family physician
  • Nurse practitioner
  • Registered nurse
  • Social worker
  • Physiotherapist
  • Mental health and substance use clinicians

  For more information about local healthcare, visit our Medical & Healthcare page. 

• Start a Business

  Do you have a business idea? Or are you looking to relocate to Penticton? Our Economic Development Office can provide advice and answer your questions (250-490-2579, economic.development@penticton.ca).

  Want to learn more about local market statistics? Visit our online interactive data portal to glean some valuable information.

  Need a business licence? Visit our Business Licences page for everything you need to know.

• Be a Remote Worker

  Penticton is becoming a hub for these independent workers who value an active lifestyle with more flexibility. Visit our Remote Workers page for a breadth of information. 

  Why Penticton?

  • No time wasted in traffic
  • A close-knit community that celebrates sports, arts, the natural environment, local food and beverages
  • High-speed fibre optic internet options

  • Penticton Airport, offering direct flights to Vancouver, Calgary & Edmonton

• Find a Place to Live

  You might need a short-term place to stay before finding the right home. Search visitpenticton.com for an online inventory of B&Bs, motels, vacation rentals, hostels and campsites.

  For everything you need to know about finding short-term accommodation, renting a home or buying a home, visit our Find a Home page. 

• Find Child Care

  Visit our Child Care page for everything you need to know!

• Register for School

  Explore all your options on our Schools page. Also read this blog about Penticton schools making the grade!

• Getting Around

  You can drive from one side of the city to the other within 10 minutes. Your other options to get around include cycling, walking, taxis and public transit. For walking and riding routes, check out our trail maps. For more information, visit our Cycling and Transportation pages.

  Local bus service is provided by BC Transit. You can view route information and current schedules on the website or download the Rider Guide for a handy reference. Find out more on their website about how to pay.

  Other bus services include a handyDART service for those with disabilities, and regional bus services to neighbouring communities and a $5 fare for the route to Kelowna.

  Read more on our Roads & Transportation page. 

• Contact Us

  Access personalized business relocation and development assistance and services through our Economic Development Office.

  Phone: 250-490-2579
  Email: economic.development@penticton.ca 

You'll Love it Here

• Here's Why

  Here are some things to love about living in Penticton.

  • 88+ wineries within just 20 minutes
  • 7 craft breweries, named the craft beer capital of Canada, according to Lonely Planet
  • #1! Home to the best beach in Canada (Skaha), according to Chatelaine Magazine
  • 7 public beaches stretching 5 km along two lakes
  • 10 minutes’ drive from one side of the city to the other
  • 0 traffic jams
  • One of just two cities in the world situated between two lakes (Skaha and Okanagan)
  • 4-season playground to swim, boat, bike, hike, golf, rock climb, snowshoe and ski (Apex Mountain Resort for downhill, Nickel Plate Nordic Centre for cross country and snowshoeing)
  • 120 km of spectacular hiking and biking on the famed Kettle Valley Rail Trail
  • 2,100 hours of sunshine annually
  • 30C is the average temperature in summer
  • Live events each year at Penticton’s 5,000-seat South Okanagan Event Centre
  • One of the largest outdoor farmers’ and community markets in Canada
• We're Here to Help

  Have questions? Need advice? Our Economic Development team is here to help. 

  Phone: 250-276-2165
  Email: economic.development@penticton.ca  

Video: Love Local Penticton