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Financial plans and associated property tax increases must be locked in before a May 15 deadline, with local and regional Councils and Boards finalizing their processes this week. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
tax bump

Property tax rates being locked in across mid-Island communities

May 11, 2026 | 5:30 AM

NANAIMO — Property tax rate changes either already have, or are being locked in this week, ahead of a Friday deadline.

Municipal and regional governments have until May 15 to submit their updated five-year financial plans and associated property tax rate adjustments for the coming year to the provincial government.

Nanaimo City Councillors gave the first three readings of the required bylaws during a Monday, May 4, meeting, moving forward with a 6.4 per cent tax increase for 2026.

The average Nanaimo property, valued at $797,225, will pay approximately $196 more than they did last year in property tax, with user rate fees calculated on top.

Included is money set aside for continued asset management, RCMP staff funding, expansive road rehabilitation projects, and new washrooms at Maffeo Sutton Park.

Final adoption is expected during a special Council meeting on Monday, May 11.

Parksville taxpayers will see a 5.8 per cent increase in the summer, resulting in the average homeowner paying $184 more than 2025, including utility and user fees.

Renovation of the city’s main fire hall is a main driver behind budget considerations, along with considerable infrastructure replacement and road management.

Reserve funding is also being bolstered, to the tune of around $35 million over the current five year financial plan.

Taxpayers in Qualicum Beach will pay 6.5 per cent more, with Councillors adopting their financial plan at the start of April.

The increase is primarily due to municipal operation costs and reserve funding, however 1.3 per cent is being set aside from asset management, while 0.7 per cent is dedicated to RCMP operations.

A typical home in Qualicum Beach will see residents pay around $156 more.

Lantzville councillors adopted their tax rates bylaw on Wednesday, May 6, solidifying a five per cent jump for 2026.

Directors for the Regional District of Nanaimo approved a budget featuring a 5.7 per cent increase in property tax requisition for 2026, during a late February meeting.

It was a reduction from the proposed 7.2 per cent floated in December.

Due to a vast difference in services provided throughout the RDN, ratepayers in different electoral areas will see different increases.

Rates are expected to go up as low as $10 for an average assessed home in Area B (Gabriola Island) to as high as $110 additional for Area C (Nanaimo Lakes-Extension-Cassidy).

Property taxes are due in most municipalities on July 2, with late penalties in effect for non-payers.

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