Property taxes and utility user fees are primary sources of funding for North Cowichan. Under the Community Charter, municipalities may recover part or all of the cost of providing services by levying taxes against properties. Staff and Council work hard to maintain core services while supporting other important projects and service improvements the community wants and needs.
Utility user fees include sewer, water and curbside collection (garbage, organics and recycling curbside pickup).
Utility user fees are invoiced separately from property taxes, but utility parcel taxes appear on your property tax bill. Learn more about utility billing.
User fees vs parcel taxes
- User fees are paid via the utility bill (three times/year) and cover the day-to-day operating costs of the service (maintenance and upkeep).
- Parcel taxes are paid via the property tax bill (once/year) and cover the infrastructure (e.g. pipes) of the service; the capital repairs, replacement or upgrades of aging infrastructure, and long-term investments.
User fees keep services running smoothly, while parcel taxes ensure the municipality can maintain and enhance essential infrastructure over time.
Water and sewer user fees
North Cowichan has three separate water systems and four sewer systems. Rates vary depending on what system your home is connected to.
The annual increases in water and sewer user fees are primarily driven by inflationary pressures. As costs rise, North Cowichan faces higher expenses to operate and maintain these systems. The increases are necessary to fund the systems and to ensure residents are receiving reliable service.
The following rates are billed three times/year (multiple by three for your annual user fee).
| Water user fees | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus | $100.00 | $105.00 | $110.00 | $116.00 | $122.00 |
| Crofton | $173.00 | $182.00 | $191.00 | $201.00 | $219.00 |
| South End | $65.00 | $67.00 | $69.00 | $71.00 | $73.25 |
| Sewer user fees | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus | $52.00 | $53.00 | $54.00 | $ 55.00 | $56.00 |
| Crofton | $106.00 | $109.35 | $112.35 | $115.70 | $119.35 |
| South End | $64.00 | $67.00 | $70.00 | $74.00 | $77.70 |
| Maple Bay | $398.00 | $410.00 | $422.00 | $435.00 | $448.00 |
Water and sewer parcel taxes
The rates in the tables below are your full annual parcel taxes. These are billed once/year on your property tax bill.
North Cowichan's five-year financial plan has planned increases over the coming years to prepare for upgrades and/or replacement of aging infrastructure. Planning for sustainable service delivery ensures we continue to provide the quality services residents rely on today and in the future.
| Water parcel tax | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus | $371.00 | $393.00 | $417.00 | $442.00 | $469.00 |
| Crofton | $259.00 | $272.00 | $286.00 | $300.00 | $315.00 |
| South End | $230.00 | $246.00 | $263.00 | $281.00 | $301.00 |
| Sewer parcel tax | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chemainus | $500.00 | $520.00 | $541.00 | $563.00 | $586.00 |
| Crofton | $508.00 | $538.00 | $570.00 | $604.00 | $640.00 |
| South End | $246.00 | $263.00 | $281.00 | $301.00 | $322.00 |
| Maple Bay | $3,717.00 | $3,829.00 | $3,943.00 | $4,062.00 | $4,184.00 |