Port Coquitlam, British Columbia
· No. 3936
· adopted 2015-12-14
· summary & facts
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City of Port Coquitlam | Sewer Regulation Amendment Bylaw, 2026
No. 4432
Page 1 of 14
SEWER REGULATION BYLAW
NO. 3936
A Bylaw to establish rates and charges for the use of
the City of Port Coquitlam Sanitary Sewerage System.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Council of the Corporation of the City of Port Coquitlam enacts as follows:
Citation
1.
This Bylaw may be cited for all purposes as the "Sewer Regulation Bylaw, 2016, No. 3936".
Definitions
2.
In this Bylaw, unless the context otherwise requires, the following words and terms shall
have the meanings hereinafter assigned to them:
Caregiver means a person who provides extensive physical assistance for a fee (minimum
of $150.00 per month) to an owner, or a spouse, parent or child of an owner provided
that the person receiving the care is permanently disabled;
Corporation shall mean The Corporation of the City of Port Coquitlam.
Council shall mean the Council of The Corporation of the City of Port Coquitlam.
Dwelling Unit means one (1) or more rooms forming a single unit that is used or intended
to be used as a residence and contains cooking, eating, sleeping, and sanitary facilities,
and includes manufactured homes and mobile homes.
Extensive Physical Assistance means extensive physical assistance and care which is
necessary in order to perform the functions of daily living in the home; for example,
preparation of meals, personal care and hygiene. Extensive physical assistance does not
include, for example:
(a)
assistance with activities outside of the home, i.e. driving, grocery
shopping or recreation;
(b)
home care provided by a provincial health care or social services
government or government funded agency, including, but not limited to,
caregivers;
(c)
assistance with home repairs and maintenance or yard work;
Financial Officer shall mean the person duly appointed as such from time to time by the
City Council pursuant to the Community Charter.
Grandparent means a person who is the grandparent of the property owner, who is
related by blood, marriage, or adoption;
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Meter Service shall mean a service attached thereto a meter for determining the quantity
of water supplied by such a service.
Parent shall mean a person who is the father or mother of the owner by blood, marriage,
adoption or foster.
Permanently Disabled means a person with a permanent disability for which there is no
remedial therapy available which would significantly lessen the disability; and which is
sufficiently severe that in order to manage normal daily functioning in the home in which
the person resides the person requires either extensive physical assistance; or structural
modifications to the home;
Rate shall mean the sum of money to be paid by any user of real property connected to
the sanitary sewer by means of a sanitary building sewer and a sewer connection.
Residential Premises shall mean all premises used solely for residential purposes and
home occupations permitted by the City's Zoning Bylaw.
Sanitary Building Sewer shall mean the sewer pipe extending from the property line of
the property concerned to the building situated thereon, and joining the sewer
connection to the plumbing system at the building; or alternatively, the term SANITARY
BUILDING SEWER shall mean the sewer pipe extending from the building or premises to
the septic tank or other private disposal structure, where a connection to a sanitary sewer
is not installed.
Sanitary Sewer shall mean any sewer under the control of The Corporation which is
intended for public use.
Suite means a dwelling unit located within a building otherwise used for a single
residential use.
Sewer Connection shall mean the sewer pipe extending from the sanitary sewer to the
property line of the property being served or about to be served.
Single-Residential Building means any building containing one dwelling unit, but no more
than one;
Two-Family Building means any building containing two dwelling units.
Unit shall mean any utensil, machine, equipment, furniture, or appliances which is or is
intended to be connected to a drain or sanitary building sewer, and without limiting the
generality of the foregoing, includes water closets, urinals, laundry tubs, washing
machines, baths, showers, sinks, and wash basins.
User shall include any person, corporation, partnership, or party and the heirs, successors,
and assigns of them, or any of them to whom the context can apply whose premises are
connected to the sanitary sewerage system of the Corporation of the City of Port
Coquitlam.
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The use of words signifying the masculine shall include the feminine.
Rates and Charges
3.
1)
Users of the sanitary sewerage system shall pay the rates and charges as set out
in Schedule "A" hereto annexed, which said Schedule is hereby incorporated
with and made part of this Bylaw.
2)
The several rates enumerated in Schedule "A" of this bylaw are hereby imposed
and levied by the City, and all such rates or rents shall be payable to the
Manager of Revenue and Collections of the City.
3)
Effective 120 calendar days from the date of issuance of engineering charges for
a building permit to construct improvements classified for residential purposes
(single residential residence, duplex, or triplex) or from the date of connection
for the servicing of existing improved properties not formerly serviced by a
sewer connection, the owner or applicant shall pay in advance the user rates
prescribed in Schedule "A", prorated to a daily equivalent, for the balance of the
year in which the billing period starts.
4)
Effective 365 days from the date of issuance of engineering charges for a
building permit to construct improvements classified for residential purposes
(multifamily four stories or less) or from the date of connection for the servicing
of existing improved properties not formerly serviced by a sewer connection, the
owner or applicant shall pay in advance the user rates prescribed in Schedule
"A", prorated to a daily equivalent, for the balance of the year in which the
billing period starts.
5)
Effective 545 days from the date of issuance of engineering charges for a
building permit to construct improvements classified for residential purposes
(multifamily greater than four stories) or from the date of connection for the
servicing of existing improved properties not formerly serviced by a sewer
connection, the owner or applicant shall pay in advance the user rates
prescribed in Schedule "A", prorated to a daily equivalent, for the balance of the
year in which the billing period starts.
Secondary Suites
4.
1)
A parcel containing a two-family building where one of the two dwelling units is
a suite shall, under this Bylaw, be treated as a parcel containing only a single-
residential building if:
a)
the owner of the parcel resides in one of the dwelling units as his or her
principal residence and the other dwelling unit is occupied by a caregiver
who is providing extensive physical assistance to an owner or a spouse or
child of an owner who resides in one of the dwelling units; or
b)
the suite will not and is not occupied or rented at any time during a
calendar year; or
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c)
the premises are inspected by a bylaw enforcement officer of the City
upon request by the owner and the inspection confirms that the suite
does not exist.
2)
In the case of the other dwelling unit is occupied by a parent(s) or grandparent(s)
of the owner the exemption granted will equal 50% of the levy for the other
dwelling unit provided the owner of the parcel resides in one of the dwelling
units as his or her principal residence.
3)
In order to qualify under section 4. 1) or 4. 2), the owner of the parcel shall
complete, sign and submit a declaration in the form attached as Schedule B to
this Bylaw to the Manager of Revenue and Collections annually no later than
December 31st of each year. In the case of section 4. 1) a), the owner shall also
submit a declaration in the form attached as Schedule C, completed and signed
by the physician of the physically disabled person. In the case of 4. 1) or 4. 2), the
Manager of Revenues and Collections may require a physical inspection of the
premises by a bylaw enforcement officer of the City.
4)
If, despite the submission of the declarations required under section 4. 3), a
parcel ceases to meet any of the requirements under section 4. 1) or 4. 2), the
parcel shall be treated as a two-family building under this Bylaw.
5)
An owner shall immediately notify the Manager of Revenue and Collections of
any occurrence triggering section 4. 4).
6)
All rates and fees imposed under this Bylaw shall be collected in the same
manner and with the same remedies as ordinary taxes on land and
improvements under the Local Government Act, Community Charter or other
legislation governing taxation by the City.
Rates and Charges
5.
1)
The user rates set forth in Schedule "A" to this Bylaw shall be charged
irrespective of whether the premises are occupied.
2)
When any rates, rents, or penalties due by any person under this bylaw for
sewerage services supplied by the City, remains unpaid on the thirty-first (31st)
day of December the same shall be deemed to be taxes in arrears in respect of
the property to which the service was provided and shall forthwith be entered
on the real property tax roll by the Manager of Revenue and Collections as taxes
in arrears.
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Penalties
6.
1)
A penalty of 5% shall be added to the outstanding balances levied for the current
year under Sections A, C, and D of Schedule A, after:
a)
the close of business on March 31st in each year; and
b)
the close of business on May 31st in each year.
2)
Services may be discontinued for any of the following reasons:
a)
non-payment of charges or fees levied pursuant to this Bylaw;
b)
contravention of any other section of this Bylaw.
3)
Council may disconnect from the sewerage system any real property in respect
of which fees and charges are unpaid on the thirty-first (31st) day of December.
The service will be disconnected after giving seven days notice by registered
mail. Notice will be deemed to be given two days after the register mail is sent.
The City will reconnect the property to the sewerage system after all fees are
paid plus the reconnection fee.
Severance
7.
If any part of this Bylaw is held to be invalid by any court, the invalid portion shall be
severed.
Repeal
8.
That Sewer Rates Bylaw, 2015, No. 3889, be repealed.
Read a first time by the Municipal Council this 23rd day of November, 2015.
Read a second time by the Municipal Council this 23rd day of November, 2015.
Read a third time by the Municipal Council this 23rd day of November, 2015.
Certified in accordance with the Bylaw authorizing the revision.
Adopted by the Municipal Council of the Corporation of the City of Port Coquitlam this 14th
day of December, 2015.
GREG MOORE _______
BRADEN HUTCHINS_____
Mayor
Corporate Officer
City of Port Coquitlam | Sewer Regulation Amendment Bylaw, 2026
No. 4391
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RECORD OF AMENDMENTS
BYLAW NO.
SECTION AMENDED
DATE
3984
Citation, Schedule A
2017 01 24
4041
Schedule A and D
2018 01 23
4106
Schedule A and D
2019 02 05
4159
Schedule A and D
2020 01 28
4206
Schedule A and D
2021 02 09
4257
Schedule A, B and D
2022 02 08
4298
Schedule A, B and D
2023 02 14
4355
Schedule A, B and D
2024 01 23
4391
Schedule A, B and D
2025-02-11
4432
Schedule A, B and D
2026-02-10
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SCHEDULE "A"
A.
Residential Properties:
Rate
(a) Single Residential dwelling unit
$648.00
(b) Each additional dwelling unit *
$483.00
(c) Each townhouse unit
$593.00
(d) Each apartment unit
$458.00
*
For each secondary suite, coach house, or additional dwelling unit located in a duplex or
any form of multiple housing including manufactured home parks or individual guest rooms
in motels, hotels, boarding houses, rooming houses, bed and breakfast businesses, and
dormitories, as well as individual stores and individual or complementary rooms for
business and personal services occupancies and not covered in parts (c) or (d) of Sections A
and B.
B.
Metered Rates:
Minimum charge
$98.98
Per cubic meter
$1.4476
Any owner or occupier of real property other than residential users shall be charged for
the use of the sewerage system on the basis of the quantity of water delivered to the real
property by the City waterworks system. All rates for sewer shall become due and payable
the first day of January, the first day of April, the first day of July, the first day of October,
each and every year.
A user of the sewerage system who establishes to the satisfaction of the Director of
Engineering & Public Works or designate that the discharge into the sewerage system is
less than seventy five percent of the water delivered by the municipal waterworks system
to his parcel of real property, by using in whole or in part the water so delivered in an
industrial or commercial process or product, or in irrigation; or by discharging the water
so delivered or part thereof directly into a natural water course or body of water; shall
have the user charge reduced corresponding to the actual quantity of discharge.
C.
Premises Used for Mixed Purposes
For premises used for mixed or multiple purposes which include a connection or service
to a residential premise as well as another use, the Owner shall pay:
(i) the rate prescribed under Section A of this schedule for each Residential Premise
that, directly or indirectly, receives water from the Water System; plus
(ii) the rate prescribed under Section B of this schedule for the Non-Residential
premises.
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Schedule "A" Cont'd
The City may send a single invoice covering all non-residential strata lots to Strata Lot 1 or
another Strata Lot, and the Strata Corporation, as the City may decide on a case-by-case
basis. If the Rates as set out on the invoice remain unpaid as of December 31 of the billing
year, the Director of Engineering & Public Works or designate shall allocate volume of water
as set out on the invoice among properties that shall pay the Metered rates as set out
above, and determine the charges and penalties owing by the Owners of each strata title
lot. Such charges shall be deemed to have been due and payable by each owner as of
December 31 and the provisions of Section 231 of the Community Charter shall apply.
D. Recent purchase or sale
To meet the eligibility requirements in Section 5(b) or (c) of the Bylaw, the claimant must be
the registered owner of the eligible residence and living on the property as his/her principal
residence at the time the application is made. Therefore, the application for the waiver
must be made prior to the conveyance of the dwelling. This is because sale of the property
is conclusive evidence that it has ceased to be the principal residence of the vendor. Once a
conveyance is completed, the vendor is no longer eligible for the waiver.
Circumstances may arise in which full utilities are paid by the vendor but no waiver is
claimed. The waiver is a reduction of indebtedness for current year utilities and must be
claimed by the individual who actually paid that debt. Since the indebtedness was paid by
the vendor, no waiver can be allowed to the purchaser. The waiver cannot be prorated.
E. Late Payment Penalties:
Accounts billed for Residential purposes
A penalty of 5% shall be added to the outstanding flat rate balances levied for the current
year under Sections A and C of this Schedule after:
(a) March 31, 2026; and
(b) June 1, 2026
Accounts billed for Metered purposes
A penalty of 10% shall be added to the outstanding balances levied for the current year
under Section B of this Schedule, after:
(a) the penalty date established for the quarter period; or
(b) thirty (30) days from the billing date.
F. Senior Citizen's Waiver:
Every owner and occupier of property who:
(a) Sixty-five years of age or over at any time during the calendar year in which the
charge is assessed; and
(b) The owner of the property for which the charge is assessed; and
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(c) Who resides on the property and considers it to be his principal residence; and
Schedule "A" Cont'd
(d) Who has not applied for a senior citizen waiver of water rates on any other property
in the City of Port Coquitlam during the calendar year in which the charge is
assessed; and
(e) Who does not own any other property as defined in the Assessment Act; and
(f) The property does not contain a suite; and
(g) Whose total annual net income for 2024 (line 23600) does not exceed the threshold
of $30,916 per person if they are the sole occupier of the residence or the threshold
of $38,493 if more than one person occupies the residence;
Shall be considered persons in special circumstances where additional benefits are
warranted and shall be entitled to a waiver of one half (50%) of the applicable annual rate
for their principal residence levied under this Bylaw. In order to qualify for the senior
citizen's waiver the owner of the parcel shall complete, sign and submit a declaration in the
form attached as Schedule D to this Bylaw to the Manager of Revenue and Collections.
A copy of the 2024 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment MUST be included with
the application for a sewer and water fee subsidy.
G. Disability Waiver:
Every owner and occupier of property who:
(a) Designated as a person with disabilities, and receiving disability assistance, hardship
assistance or a supplement, under the BC Employment and Assistance for persons
with Disabilities Act or is a person with disabilities, or am the spouse or relative with
disabilities, and the person with disabilities resides with the owner and the collector
has been provided with the required Schedule C; and
(b) The owner of the property for which the charge is assessed; and
(c) Who resides on the property and considers it to be his principal residence; and
(d) Who has not applied for a senior citizen waiver of water rates on any other property
in the City of Port Coquitlam during the calendar year in which the charge is
assessed; and
(e) Who does not own any other property as defined in the Assessment Act; and
(f) The property does not contain a suite; and
(g) Whose total annual net income 2024 (line 23600) does not exceed the threshold of
$30,916 per person if they are the sole occupier of the residence or the threshold of
$38,493 if more than one person occupies the residence;
Shall be considered persons in special circumstances where additional benefits are
warranted and shall be entitled to a waiver of one half (50%) of the applicable annual rate
for their principal residence levied under this Bylaw. In order to qualify for the senior
citizen's waiver the owner of the parcel shall complete, sign and submit a declaration in the
form attached as Schedule D to this Bylaw to the Manager of Revenue and Collections.
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A copy of the 2024 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment MUST be included with
the application for a sewer and water fee subsidy.
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SCHEDULE "B"
2026 APPLICATION FOR SUITE EXEMPTION
I, ___________________________________________, am the registered owner of the property
located at _____________________________________________________________________
and I hereby apply for exemption of the water levies for the reason that the SUITE:
Does not exist (effective date_______________________________).
Has not and will not be rented or occupied at any time during this calendar year.
(Additional dwelling unit/suite means one or more rooms forming a single unit that
is used or intended to be used as a residence and contains cooking, eating, sleeping,
and sanitary facilities).
Is occupied by my parent(s) or grandparent(s) and I occupy the other residence on
the property as my principal residence. (Please Note: parent(s) or grandparent(s)
must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption). The exemption for parent(s) and
grandparent(s) will be equal to 50% of the levy charged for the additional dwelling
unit/suite.
Is occupied by a caregiver who is providing extensive physical assistance for a fee
(minimum $150 per month) to me or to my spouse, parent or child (circle as
applicable), and I occupy one the other residence on the property as my primary
residence and the person receiving such assistance occupies one of the residences
on the property as his or her primary residence. (Please note: parent(s) or
grandparent(s) or child must be related by blood, marriage, or adoption).
I hereby declare the above to be true and I further understand that pursuant to the relevant
Bylaw, any person who signs an untrue declaration is guilty of an offence and shall be liable
to additional levies equal to the sum of the exemption amount plus twice the initial levy
amount. A physical inspection by a bylaw officer of the City may be required.
IT IS AN OFFENCE TO MAKE A FALSE APPLICATION
Print Name _______________________ Signature of Registered Owner ___________________
Date_______________________, 2026 Phone Number________ _______________________
THIS APPLICATION MUST BE COMPLETED ANNUALLY AND SUBMITTED TO CITY HALL NO LATER THAN DECEMBER 31st OF EACH YEAR. IF
SITUATIONS CHANGE AND THE SUITE IS RENTED OR OCCUPIED, PLEASE NOTIFY THE CITY HALL AT WHICH TIME ADDITIONAL CHARGES AND
PENALTIES IF APPLICABLE WILL BE LEVIED.
OFFICE USE
ROLL NO:
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SCHEDULE "C"
SUPPLEMENTARY DISABILITY FORM FOR SUITE EXEMPTION
or DISABILITY WAIVER
A.
Patient Information
Patient's Name: (last name) (first name)
Birth
Date:
Year
Mo
Day
Patient's Address:
Apt. #
Street Number:
Street Name:
City:
Province:
Postal Code:
"Extensive Physical Assistance" means extensive supervision and care which is necessary in
order to perform the functions of daily living in the home; for example, preparation of meals,
personal care and hygiene. Extensive physical assistance does not include, for example:
(a) Assistance with activities outside of the home, ie. driving, grocery shopping or
recreation.
(b) Home care provided by a provincial health care or social services government or
government funded agency, including but not limited to caregivers.
(c) Assistance with home repairs and maintenance or yard work.
Caregiver shall mean a person who provides extensive physical assistance for a fee (minimum of
$150 per month) to a property owner, or a spouse or parent or child of the property owner
provided that the person receiving the care is permanently disabled.
B.
Application (Please complete all sections below)
Is the patient permanently disabled? Please check one:
Yes
No
If Yes, what is the nature of the disability?
Is there any remedial therapy available which would lessen the disability?
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SCHEDULE "C" Cont'd
SUPPLEMENTARY DISABILITY FORM FOR SUITE EXEMPTION
or DISABILITY WAIVER
Date patient's disability was diagnosed:
Does the patient require "extensive physical assistance" in the home as a result of this
disability?
Please check one:
Yes
No
If Yes, Please describe in detail the assistance the patient requires:
Approximate monthly cost of assistance:
Does the patient's disability require a caregiver to live in the home of the patient?
Please check one:
Yes
No
Physician's Signature:
Return completed form to: City of Port Coquitlam
Tax Department
2580 Shaughnessy Street
Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 2A8
OFFICE USE
ROLL NO:
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Schedule "D"
2026 APPLICATION FOR A SEWER AND WATER USER FEE SUBSIDY.
Source of Income
Amount
1. Owner
Old Age Pension
Canada Pension
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Other Income
2. Spouse and all other
occupants of the household
Old Age Pension
Canada Pension
Guaranteed Income Supplement
Other Income
Total Net Income (Line 23600)
I have attached a copy of my (our) 2024 Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment(s)
I am the owner and occupier of ____________________________________________________________ (address)
I am 65 years of age (or over): my date of birth is __________________ or I am a designated as a person with
disabilities, and receiving disability assistance, hardship assistance or a supplement, under the BC Employment and
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities Act or is a person with disabilities, or am the spouse or relative with
disabilities and the person with disabilities reside with the owner.
I live on the property and consider it to be my principal residence and the property does not contain a suite.
I do not own any other property as defined in the Assessment Act.
There are (including myself) _____ person(s) living at the above address. The following is my (our) 2024 income.
All income must be shown below, including Pensions, Interest, rent etc.
My total annual net income does not exceed $30,916 or our household annual net income does not exceed $38,493.
I have not applied for a sewer or water user fee subsidy on any other property during this calendar year.
I understand that I will be required to sign this form each year by Dec 31, as long as I remain eligible for this waiver. I agree to
provide the collector with any documentation necessary to establish my eligibility for the waiver, including the 2024 Revenue
Canada Notice of Assessment.
AND I MAKE THIS SOLEMN DECLARATION CONSCIENTIOUSLY BELIEVING IT TO BE TRUE, AND KNOWING THAT IT IS OF THE SAME
FORCE AND EFFECT AS IF MADE UNDER OATH AND BY VIRTUE OF THE 'CANADA EVIDENCE ACT'.
Print Name ________________________________ Signature of Registered Owner ______________________________
Phone Number __________ Dated at Port Coquitlam, BC this _______ day of _____________ ,2026.
PLEASE COMPLETE AND RETURN BEFORE DUE DATE TO AVOID PENALTIES.
The personal information on this form is collected under the authority of the Municipalities Enabling and Validating Act and will
be used for the purpose of determining eligibility for a waiver as per Bylaw No. 3936. If you have any questions about the use
and collection of this information, contact the Tax Collector at 604-927-5426.