Property Taxes and Utilities

The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in areas in B.C. affected most by the current housing shortage crisis.

Visit the Province of BC Speculation and Vacancy Tax site for more information and to submit your declaration.

MyCity allows you to view your property tax and utility account information and sign up to receive information electronically. Visit the Online Services page for details and to register.

2024 Property Taxes and Utilities are due July 2, 2024.  

Property owners are responsible for payment of property taxes regardless of whether or not a notice is received. If you have not received a notice, please contact us.

New owners should ensure taxes are paid on their property. If there is any doubt, please contact us.

Financial Services: 604-815-5035 or 604-815-5010.

Penalty & Interest

A 5% penalty will be added to any amount outstanding after July 2, 2024, including any unclaimed Home Owner Grant. A second 5% penalty will be applied after July 31, 2024.

Daily Interest Rates are set by the province each quarter and applied directly to your outstanding arrears and delinquent property tax amounts.

Four Ways to Pay

1. Online or telephone banking
   

   Payee: District of Squamish Property Tax (Search Squamish)
   Account#: 13 digit folio number (no dashes) on the front of your notice.

   TIP: Some financial institutions hold payments before sending them to us or are in different time zones. Avoid the risk of penalty by paying 2 to 3 business days before the due date.
   
   
   

2. Mail  - Cheque only (no post-dated cheques please). Make cheque payable to District of Squamish. Mail early enough to be received before the deadline. Postmarks will not be accepted as date of payment.

   Mail to: District of Squamish | PO Box 310, Squamish, BC V8B 0A3
   
   
   

3. Drop box -Deposit a cheque in the yellow drop box at the Municipal Hall front entrance. Do not put cash in the drop box. No post-dated cheques.
   
   
   
4. In-person - Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue. Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed statutory holidays.

   TIP: Check your daily debit spending limit. You may need to request a temporary increase from your bank.

   
   
   

The Province of BC manages the Home Owner Grant, Tax Deferment, and Speculation and Vacancy Tax programs.

Home Owner Grant

The Home Owner Grant reduces the amount of property tax you pay for your principal residence. 

• To avoid penalties and interest, apply before the tax due date.
• Municipalities cannot accept applications.

Learn more and apply for the grant on the Province of BC's Home Owner Grant website or phone 1-888-355-2700.

Tax Deferment

A home owner 55 years or over, a widow/widower, persons with disabilities as defined in the Disability Benefits Program Act, or families with children under 18 years of age may be able to defer their taxes on their principal residence through a program whereby the provincial government makes payment on their behalf.  

Learn more and apply for the deferment the Province of BC's Property Tax Deferment program site or phone 1-888-355-2700 or 250-387-0555.

Speculation and Vacancy Tax

The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in areas in B.C. affected most by the current housing shortage crisis.

Learn more and submit your declaration on the Province of BC's Speculation and Vacancy Tax site.

2024 Tax Rates

• View the Tax Rate Bylaw

Understanding property tax calculations

Municipal property taxes are calculated by dividing your property’s assessment by 1,000, and then multiplying it by the tax rate. 

Example: In 2023, single family homes had an average assessed value of $1,500,600. 2024 property taxes are:

$1,500,600/1000 = 1,500.6 x 2.3108 = $3,467.59 in property taxes (municipal and library only).

Solid Waste Utility fees are based on the garbage tote size you choose. There is no additional cost for recycling and organics collection – these costs are included in the Solid Waste Utility fee regardless of which size garbage tote you choose.

2024 Utility Fees

Related bylaws:

• Consolidated Fees and Charges Bylaw
• Solid Waste Utility Bylaw
• Sewer Rates Bylaw
• Water Rates Bylaw

Garbage tote size exchanges

Tote change requests are accepted from January to October 31 each year. Totes are exchanged in the spring of the following year. Please visit the garbage tote selection page.

The deadline to pay without penalty is July 2, 2024.

Property owners are responsible for payment of utilities regardless of whether or not a notice is received. If you have not received a notice, please contact us.

New owners should ensure utilities are paid on their property. If there is any doubt, please contact us.

Financial Services: 604-815-5035 or 604-815-5010.

Penalty & Interest

A 5% penalty will be added to any amount outstanding after July 2, 2024. A second 5% penalty will be applied after July 31, 2024.

Four Ways to Pay

1. Online or telephone banking
   

   Payee: District of Squamish Utility (Search Squamish)
   Account#: 7-digit Utility account number as shown on the front of your notice.

   TIP: Some financial institutions hold payments before sending them to us or are in different time zones. Avoid the risk of penalty by paying 2 to 3 business days before the due date.
   
   
   

2. Mail  - Cheque only (no post-dated cheques please). Make cheque payable to District of Squamish. Mail early enough to be received before the deadline. Postmarks will not be accepted as date of payment.

   Mail to: District of Squamish | PO Box 310, Squamish, BC V8B 0A3
   
   
   

3. Drop box -Deposit a cheque in the yellow drop box at the Municipal Hall front entrance. Do not put cash in the drop box. No post-dated cheques.
   
   
   
4. In-person - Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue. Monday to Friday: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed statutory holidays.

   TIP: Check your daily debit spending limit. You may need to request a temporary increase from your bank.

Your mortgage company/bank can pay your property taxes but cannot pay utility fees.

In order to avoid incurring a penalty, discuss your payment arrangement with your bank and ensure that you pay the utilities portion yourself.

No. Penalties are mandated by Provincial legislation and are not discretionary.

From the legislation:

If all or part of the property taxes referred to in section 234 (1) [taxes collected under general tax collection scheme] of the Community Charter for a parcel of land and its improvements on the assessment roll remain unpaid after the due date of the year those taxes are levied,

(a) the collector must add to the unpaid property taxes for the parcel and improvements for the current year a penalty equal to 10% of the portion that remains unpaid.

No, property taxes cannot be appealed.

Property assessments can be appealed through the BC Assessment office within 30 days of receiving the notice.

Property taxes are levied against the property and not the individual owner. They remain with the property through change of ownership. 

Arrangements for property tax payments are typically made by the parties involved, usually through a lawyer or notary public.