How Taxation Works For a Regional District

Taxation for Regional District residents differs slightly from that for cities and towns. Under the Local Government Act, the law that governs the activity of Local Governments, Regional Districts do not have the authority to collect taxes directly from residents or businesses.

Instead, taxes for Regional District purposes are requisitioned from the Province and member municipalities, which collect from the taxpayers on behalf of the Regional District. Local services such as sewer, water, and garbage collection are funded through utility billings.

How Revenues Are Used

Tax revenues are used to provide local services such as fire protection, recreation, and street lights to residents and businesses within the electoral areas of the Regional District.

Tax revenues are also used to fund a wide range of regional services to everyone within the boundaries of the Regional District, such as parks, 9-1-1 services, solid waste management, emergency planning, and economic development.

Property Taxes

To obtain a copy of your 2025 Property Tax notice, request your balance or inquire about Property Tax payments, please contact the Surveyor of Taxes at 1-888-355-2700.

As a regional district, the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) does not directly collect or administer property taxes from electoral area property owners. Instead, the Provincial Surveyor of Taxes(opens in new window) collects revenue on behalf of the CVRD and the hospital district (CVRHD).

The CVRD delivers local, sub-regional and regional services to residents within electoral areas. Each service is budgeted for separately and the tax burden is shared between participating municipalities and electoral areas as set out in each service bylaw. For local services delivered to a smaller area within an electoral area, taxes are only levied for those within the boundaries of that service. Read more on property taxes in rural areas.

Property Tax FAQ's

Find out more about Property Tax - Frequently Asked Questions.