What is an Improvement District?

Improvement districts are local authorities responsible for providing services for the benefit of the residents in a community. They vary considerably in size, from small subdivisions to larger communities, and are usually located in rural areas of British Columbia.

Improvement districts are empowered to provide services such as water, fire protection, street lighting. These services are financed by taxation or user fees.

Every improvement district is governed by a board of elected trustees (elected by area property owners) one of whom acts as the board chair. The powers exercised by the trustees (to enact and enforce its regulations and charges, to assess and collect taxes, to acquire, hold and dispose of lands, to borrow money and to expropriate lands) flow from the improvement district’s bylaws, the Local Government Act and other applicable provincial statutes. Information on these topics can be found in the Provincial Government website page on Improvement Districts

Most improvement districts are located within the boundary of a regional district, yet the improvement district and regional district are independent of each other. Improvement districts can also be located inside municipalities. Overlaps in jurisdiction can and do occur, therefore co-ordination between the two bodies is essential. Regional districts can apply on behalf of improvement districts for infrastructure planning and capital grants from the Local Government Division.

Over the years, many improvement districts have either incorporated, as municipalities, or have transferred the services they provide to municipalities or regional districts. Division staff have created the Improvement District Conversion Guide to assist those improvement districts interested in transferring their services to a municipality or regional district.

Who pays tolls and taxes and at what rate?

Improvement District Taxes are separate from your rural taxes that are collected from the Province. Taxes and bylaws related to taxation are reviewed annually and subject to change.

Land Parcel Classification (as defined under By-Law No 105 dated Nov 8, 1989 and entitled “24th Assessment Bylaw”) are as follows:

  • Group A  Shall comprise each, and every parcel of land to which water is or can be supplied from the existing works of the District.
  • Group B  Shall comprise each, and every parcel of land not classified Group A.
  • Group C  Shall comprise each, and every parcel of land which was within the District Boundaries prior to May 1985.

2020 Rates for parcel Tax – $563.00

2020 Rates for Water Tolls – $450.00 non metered rate

Metered Rate: The commercial metered rates are calculated as follows.

  • The minimum quarterly rate is $112.50 which includes 50 m3 of water.
  • Any usage above 50 m3 is billed at $2.50 per m3.

When are invoices sent out?

Invoices are sent out in January. Improvement taxes and Water Tolls are due by the end of March. Commercial Water Tolls are invoiced quarterly; March 31, June 30, Sept 30, Dec 31st.

What are my payment options?

  • You can pay by cheque – mailed to the GBID; PO Box 102, Gillies Bay, V0N 1W0
  • Payment by cash – in person at the GBID Fire Hall; Monday through Friday 9 – 3pm.
  • Or you can pay at the First Credit Union on Texada.

Do I need a building permit to build in the electoral areas?
The BC Building Code applies to all lands within the Province of British Columbia. The Powell River Regional District has not adopted a building bylaw to implement building inspections or issue building permits. However, builders are required to build to code.

Regional District Land Use and Development Resources

Planning to develop your property? Download this:

https://www.qathet.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20200908_Development-Brochure_final.pdf

Land Use Bylaws for Texada Island:

Texada Island Official Community Plan, Bylaw No. 395, 2005

Texada Island Zoning Bylaw No. 99, 1982

Texada Island Community Watershed Protection Bylaw No. 237, 1993

Land Use Bylaws and Application Forms