A plethora of new pizza places has raised the ire of some within Summerland.
Summerland has at least five independent pizza outlets, as well as a winery which offers a variety of pizzas on its patio.
Since the fall of 2025, two pizza outlets, both affiliated with national chains, have set up in Summerland, and a third chain outlet is in the works to come to Summerland.
This has resulted in some online comments from people who are puzzled and perplexed by the number of pizzerias.
“The economic engine of Summerland is powered by pizza and thrift stores,” one social media commenter said.
However, Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes said, the municipality does not put a cap on the number of pizza outlets in the community.
“Government can’t interfere in the market,” he said. “The only regulation we have is zoning.”
He explained that a new pizza restaurant would not be allowed in a residential neighbourhood because of the zoning restrictions. However, in the downtown area, it would be allowed.
Other businesses also do not face limits from the municipality, other than zoning restrictions.
Bottleneck Drive, which represents beverage makers in Summerland, has 18 wineries, breweries, cideries and distilleries within Summerland.
For cannabis retail stores, there are restrictions on how close the facilities can be to parks, schools and the library, and they are restricted to the downtown core and Summerfair Shopping Centre. However, there is no limit to the number of cannabis shops within Summerland, or the proximity of one cannabis shop to another in the areas where they are permitted. The policy governing these businesses was adopted late in 2018.
Holmes said the concern about pizzerias shows a positive side to the community of Summerland.
“If having too many pizza places in Summerland is our biggest problem, then we don’t have too many problems,” he said.