Why did Squamish property taxes go up 12.8%?
The District of Squamish raised the property tax money it collects to run the town by 12.8% for 2026, to $56.1 million. Most of the increase paid for costs it was already committed to, such as staff wages and benefits, RCMP policing, transit, inflation and debt on projects already approved. Council debated the budget in late 2025 and adopted it unanimously on January 13, 2026. [1] [2]
Checked October 27, 2026 against District of Squamish records. Numbers link to their sources.
Was it 2025 or 2026?
Both dates come up. Council worked on the budget in late 2025 and adopted the 2026 to 2035 financial plan on January 13, 2026, so the 12.8% increase is on 2026 tax bills. The year before, 2025, taxes for operations went up 12.5%. [2] [4]
What it cost a typical property
The District's 2026 figures for the municipal part of the tax bill. School and regional district taxes are extra. [3]
| Property | 2026 assessed value | 2026 municipal tax | Change from 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average single family home | $1,553,742 | $4,466 | +$520 (13.2%) |
| Average home, all types | $1,145,892 | $3,294 | +$320 (10.8%) |
| Average strata home | $845,317 | $2,430 | +$237 (10.8%) |
| Average business | $1,678,456 | $13,066 | +$1,618 (14.1%) |
Earlier estimates said about $382 or $389 more for the average home. Those were drafts; the figures above are from April 2026, after tax rates were set. [2] [5]
Where the increase came from
When staff presented the draft budget on December 9, 2025, it was a 13.1% increase. They broke it down like this (the final increase was 12.8%): [5]
- About 7.7 points: costs already committed, such as labour and benefit contracts, policing, transit, inflation and debt payments on approved projects.
- About 2.9 points: keeping services at their current level, including fire services and transit.
- About 2.4 points: money set aside to repair and replace roads, pipes and buildings.
- The rest: new or one time projects and community grants.
Staff said most of the increase came from costs the District could not avoid, not new services. The District's tax notice also lists growing RCMP and fire costs, new housing duties from the Province, debt for new facilities, and building reserves ($25.1 million in 2026). [5] [1]
Armand Hurford, mayor at the time, called the town's shortage of facilities one of the main drivers. [2]
Water, sewer and garbage fees
Utility fees are billed separately. For 2026, sewer (wastewater) fees went up 7.2%, water 1.8% and garbage collection 5.2%. [2] [5]
Why the total tax collected rose more than 12.8%
In spring 2026 the District collected $5.8 million more than planned from Woodfibre LNG, after the plant's assessment jumped. Council put that money into reserves for building projects instead of daily operations, so it did not lower anyone's bill. With it, total municipal taxes for 2026 were $61.9 million. [3] [6]
What comes next
The 10 year plan expects increases of about 13% in 2027 and 12.9% in 2028, mostly for RCMP contracts, debt payments and more fire staff and transit. Staff's first draft for 2027, shown in September 2026, starts at 10.4% before new items. The new council decides the 2027 budget over the winter. [2] [7]
Follow what council does next: 2027 budget and property tax increase, with every vote by member.
Sources
- District of Squamish 2026 property tax notice insert
- Squamish Chief, January 16, 2026: council adopts first 10 year financial plan
- District staff report, April 21, 2026: 2026 tax rate bylaw
- District of Squamish 2025 property tax notice insert
- Squamish Chief, December 16, 2025: budget forum
- Squamish Chief, April 24, 2026: financial plan amended with Woodfibre LNG revenue
- District draft 2027 to 2036 financial plan, general fund (September 29, 2026)
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