← Property taxes and spending · All issues

How much will property taxes go up in 2027?

Each year council adopts a 10-year financial plan that sets how much money it raises from property taxes. Taxes rose 12.8% in 2026. Staff's draft for 2027 starts at a 10.4% increase (about $342 for the average home) before any new items, driven mostly by costs already committed such as RCMP contracts, wages and reserves.

Explained: Why did Squamish property taxes go up 12.8%?

Where it stands step 3 of 6

  1. Budget workshops start September 22, 2026
    The outgoing council reviewed utility, general fund and capital pieces in fall 2026. [source]
  2. Draft shows 10.4% starting increase September 29, 2026
    Before items still awaiting council endorsement. [source]
  3. Public input and budget information night
    Email budgetfeedback@squamish.ca; the November information night date is to be confirmed. [source]
  4. New council deliberates
    The District says the proposed budget is discussed over about three months. [source]
  5. Financial plan bylaw readings and adoption
    Last year's plan got three readings January 6 and was adopted January 13. [source]
  6. Tax rate bylaw adopted
    Rates are set in the spring; in 2026 this was May 5. [source]

What happens next: The new council inherits the draft and is expected to adopt the 2027 to 2036 financial plan in winter 2026/27 and set 2027 tax rates in spring 2027.

Your BC Assessment notice (early January)

BC Assessment mails every owner a notice in early January with the property’s value as of July 1 of the year before. [BC Assessment]

Your assessment doesn’t set your tax bill by itself. Council decides how much money to raise in the budget, then sets tax rates in the spring. What matters is how your value changed compared with the average home in Squamish: if yours went up more than average, your share of the tax goes up a bit more; if less, a bit less.

Think your value is wrong? You can ask BC Assessment to review it. The deadline is usually January 31, and it’s printed on your notice. [BC Assessment]

More: the new council’s first 100 days, including when the budget and tax rates are voted on.

How this council has voted on it

The new council hasn’t voted on this yet. Every vote on it will appear here.

What each of them said during the campaign

“Keeping property tax increases at or below inflation should be a top priority, even if it means cutting services or delaying projects.”

“Capital projects above a set cost should go to a public referendum before council approves them.”

“Squamish should fund more RCMP officers and policing.”

Earlier history (before this council)
  • September 29, 2026: Staff presented the draft 2027 general fund: a 10.4% starting increase, of which 6.6% is costs already committed. [source]
  • May 5, 2026: Council adopted the spring amendment to the financial plan and the 2026 tax rate bylaw. [source]
  • January 13, 2026: Council adopted the District's first 10-year financial plan, with a 12.8% increase in property tax revenue for 2026. [source]
  • October 7, 2025: Council decided the Cheekeye debris barrier's yearly costs will be split half from a local area tax and half from general taxes. (Councillor Hamilton opposed) [source]
  • May 6, 2025: Council adopted the 2025 tax rate bylaw. [source]

Have your say

The swearing in meeting is ceremonial. There is no question period and no letters on the agenda. To raise something with the new council, write to council@squamish.ca after November 3. Letters sent before then go to the outgoing council.

Watch. Live and afterward on the District’s YouTube channel.