Beginning with the spring 2026 utility bill (May/June 2026), North Cowichan will introduce a $2 fee for all paper utility bills. The $2 fee will help cover postal and administrative costs and support North Cowichan's efforts to reduce paper use and improve service efficiency.
Residents can avoid this fee by switching to e‑billing, a fast, secure, and environmentally friendly way to receive utility bills.
- View step by step instructions on how to switch to e-billing.
- Note - These steps are to receive your utility bill by email. Payment of your bill can be done in a number of ways:
- In-person at Municipal Hall (cash, cheque, Interac, credit card)
- Cheque (mailed or dropped off)
- Online banking
- Credit card
- Note - These steps are to receive your utility bill by email. Payment of your bill can be done in a number of ways:
Why the change?
Council approved the fee in November 2025 as part of broader measures to reduce the 2026 operating budget and limit the tax increase. The $2 paper billing fee is expected to save approximately $12,000 per billing cycle, or $38,000 per year.
Other budget‑reduction decisions included:
- Reducing Council travel expenses by 50%
- And more: view Council Matters from the November 19, 2025 council meeting for a summary
Note - this change applies only to paper utility bills. There is no fee for printed property tax notices.