Property Taxes

Frequently Asked Questions

• What else is billed on my tax notice?

  • Urban Storm Drainage Fees:  All properties within the service boundaries pay annual storm drainage fees.  These fees are to pay for the maintenance and replacement costs associated with operating the storm sewer system. All streets within the urban development boundary are drained though some sort of storm system.  All residents have access to or use these streets and benefit from the storm drainage to get around to work, school and shopping safely. 
  • Dyking, Drainage and Irrigation Fees: Properties in the Matsqui and Sumas Prairie boundary areas pay separate fees for maintaining their ditching network rather than the urban storm drainage fee.
  • Solid Waste Collection Fees: All single family and duplex residential properties within the service boundaries are charged the curbside collection fee.  Curbside collection includes recyclables, compostables and garbage for single family and duplex homes. 
  • Recycling Fees: Multi-family residential properties do not have City collection services but are charged a recycling processing fee to support processing of the recycling and education programs.
  • Secondary Suite / Coach House Infrastructure Fees: The fee is payable for any additional suite, including but not limited to a Secondary Suite or Coach House.
• How do I change my mailing address?

  Contact BC Assessment to change your mailing address through one of the following methods:

  • Online by completing a Change of Address Notification form
  • By telephone at 1-866-825-8322
  • In person at the BC Assessment, B200-20161 86 Avenue, Langley BC V2Y 2C1
• Are there late payment penalties?

  • Penalty dates are clearly printed on the property tax notice. Taxes that remain outstanding after these dates (including any unclaimed Home Owner Grant amount) are subject to penalty. Tax Payment Bylaw 2962-2019
  • First 5% late payment penalty is due on July 3
  • An additional 5% penalty is due on September 17
• What do I do about my tax notice when I sell my property?

  • Change the tax account number on your financial institution's website if you pay online
  • Change or Cancel your Tax Pre-payment Plan by the 8th of the month
  • Pay the entire tax notice if you are the current owner on the tax due date
  • Contact us to receive a tax notice if you have not received one by June
  • Return a tax notice to the City that is no longer your responsibility
  • Change your utility account information
  • Your Lawyer or Notary handling the property sale can do the following:
    • Allocate the annual tax bill between buyer and seller and advise which party claims the Home Owner Grant
    • Adjust for any credit balance on the seller’s tax account on the Statement of Adjustments
    • Request a final bill and allocate the utility account balance between buyer and seller
    • Submit the Tax Pre-Payment Plan and Utility Auto Debit Plan cancellation request on the Tax Certificate to the City
• How do I change owner information on property title?

  Name changes are done through the BC Land Title and Survey Office.

• As a new owner, what do I need to know about paying taxes?

  • Property taxation is the most important single source of municipal revenue. Property tax notices are mailed annually at the end of May and are due the first working day after July 1 of every calendar year.
  • Property owners who have not received their tax notice by the second week of June should contact the Property Tax Division at 604-864-5522.
  • New property owners are responsible for payment of their annual property taxes by the due date to avoid penalty, whether or not they receive a property tax notice. 
  • The Property Owner's Responsibility Tax Information Sheet provides a calendar of events to help property owners prepare for, and understand, their responsibilities relating to annual property taxes.