Property Taxes | City of Delta

Each year, Delta Council approves an annual budget of the required expenditures and determines the amount of property taxes that have to be collected to balance the budget. Delta collects the required amount of property taxes, independent of assessment roll fluctuations. The 2024 Financial Plan that was approved by Council included a 5.75% property tax increase for City operational services and 2% for recreation capital investment. View the 2024 Financial Plan.

Property taxes are one of the ways the City of Delta collects revenue to pay for City services, including:

Police
Fire and Emergency Services
Parks, Recreation and Culture
Roads and Traffic Safety and Public Works
General Services
Building and Infrastructure

Property tax rates are the rates used to determine how much property tax you pay, based on the assessed value of your property. The tax rate applies to each $1,000 of net taxable value. The property tax rate is different depending on the class of property that you own.

View the 2023 Tax Rates Schedule
View the 2023 Tax Rates Bylaw
View the 2023 Tax Rates Council Report
View the 2023 Mayor's Property Tax Letter

A property with an average assessment change will see an increase in Delta property taxes that is in line with the approved Council increase. Similarly, a property with an assessment change that is above or below the average will see a higher or lower property tax increase.

Tax Levies from Other Taxing Authorities

Included in the property tax notice are tax levies from other taxing authorities such as:

The Province of British Columbia for School tax levies
Greater Vancouver Regional District (Metro Vancouver)
South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (TransLink)
BC Assessment
Municipal Finance Authority

Delta does not control the tax levies for these authorities but acts as the collector on behalf of those authorities.

How To Pay

Visit How to Pay Property Taxes & Utilities to see available payment options.

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Important Information on Property Tax Items

You can find various information on important property tax items below. Should you have any questions, require further information, or wish to discuss setting up installment payments, please contact the Taxation Office via email or at 604-946-3235.

Since 2021
In 2021, the Province took over the administration of the Home Owner Grant Program and municipalities no longer collect applications. Eligible property owners are required to submit their applications for current year Home Owner Grants (2023) or Retroactive Home Owner Grants (2022) electronically through the Province’s website.
The Provincial Home Owner Grant Program helps reduce the amount of property taxes British Columbians pay on their principal residence. The Province of British Columbia requires that all eligible property owners apply for the Home Owner Grant each year to confirm that they still meet the eligibility requirements.
The Home Owner Grant is a form of payment toward your property taxes. Claim the home owner grant and pay the remaining amount of property taxes by the due date every year to avoid late penalties. The City of Delta reverses the penalty on late Home Owner Grants if the application is submitted by September 2 of the current year.
If you defer your property taxes, or if your mortgage provider pays your property taxes, you are still responsible for claiming the Home Owner Grant each year.
Basic Home Owner Grant
If you meet the Province's eligibility requirements, the maximum basic grant is $570.
Additional Home Owner Grant
If you are eligible for the Basic Home Owner Grant and you are 65 years of age or older, or otherwise qualifying, you may be eligible for an additional grant of $275.
Recently Purchased or Sold Properties
If you are selling your property, consult with your lawyer or notary about claiming the Home Owner Grant prior to the sale.
Retroactive Home Owner Grant
If you forgot to claim your Home Owner Grant last year, you may be able to claim a retroactive Home Owner Grant if:
1. You qualified for the Home Owner Grant on December 31 of last year; and
2. You are still the registered owner of the property.
Eligible home owners may submit applications for their Retroactive Home Owner Grant online through the Province's website.
For more information on the Province's Home Owner Grant program, visit their website.
Property tax and utility accounts stay with the home. If you are moving and selling your home, remember to cancel any pre-authorized payment arrangements by emailing the Taxation Office. Delta will be advised of the change of ownership by the provincial Land Title and Survey Authority office.
If you are moving and keeping the home, please submit your change of address to both BC Assessment online and the Land Title and Survey Authority. A change of mailing address submitted to BC Assessment will update the mailing address on file with both BC Assessment and the City of Delta, but it will not update the address on file with the Land Title and Survey Authority. A change of mailing address submitted to the Land Title and Survey Authority will update the address on file with the provincial Land Title and Survey Authority, BC Assessment and the City of Delta. Property owners are responsible for keeping their address information up-to-date to ensure they receive important and time sensitive mail, including Property Tax Notices and Utility Bills.
The permissive tax exemption guidelines are intended to:
- Provide consistent and equal treatment and consideration for all applicants.
- Optimize the provision of charitable and not for profit services for the benefit of Delta residents.
- Allow for consideration of a wide diversity of organizations and evaluation of each application on its own merits.
To receive consideration for a permissive tax exemption, properties must qualify for an exemption under the provisions of the Community Charter. Should a property be eligible for an exemption, the application for a permissive tax exemption will be evaluated according to these guidelines.
Council may, at its discretion, reject any or all applicants in any given year.
- Permissive Tax Exemption Guidelines
- Permissive Tax Exemption Application
Under the Local Government Act, properties with delinquent taxes owing must be offered for sale by public auction on the last Monday of September.
How to avoid the Annual Tax Sale
To ensure your property is not offered for sale at the public auction, you must pay your delinquent taxes including interest. You are not required to pay the arrears or current taxes to avoid the Annual Tax Sale.
Steps leading up to the Annual Tax Sale
The City will contact any registered charge holders (i.e. mortgage providers) regarding the outstanding property taxes unless payment of delinquent taxes, including interest, is received by the last day of February of the applicable year.
The Local Government Act requires a listing of properties with delinquent taxes owing be published in the local newspapers. To avoid appearing in the newspaper, payment of delinquent taxes, including interest, must be received by the last week of August of the applicable year.
Annual Tax Sale
Properties with delinquent taxes will be sold by public auction in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 4500 Clarence Taylor Crescent, Delta, BC at 10:00 am on the last Monday of September. This year, that falls on a holiday so the next Monday, October 7, 2024, will be the date of the sale.
After the Annual Tax Sale
If your property is sold at the public auction, you will have one year to redeem your property (retain ownership). You have ownership rights and you can live on the property during the one-year redemption period.
To redeem your property, you will be required to pay to the City of Delta all outstanding taxes, plus administration fees and interest on monies owed to the purchaser from the public auction.