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# Utility Rates & Billing
#### **MyCity Online and E-Billing**
Go to victoria.ca/MyCity to create a free profile and sign up for e-billing to receive your utility bill by email. You can also call 250.361.0226 to find out your utility bill balance. We can help you set up a MyCity Online profile to access your bills and account information online.
#### **Payment Options**
You can pay your utility bill online, by pre-authorized payments, through online banking or in person at your financial institution, or in person at City Hall on weekdays from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. A drop box located outside the Pandora Avenue entrance is available for non-cash payments.
Our customer service team is happy to assist you over the phone at 250.361.0226 or by email at [email protected].
## Utility Billings
Garbage, sewer and water utilities are billed every four months. There are four different billing groups:
* January, May and September 15
* February, June and October 15
* March, July and November 15
* April, August and December 15
Stormwater utilities are billed annually around mid-November.
## Sign up for e-billing
You can access your utility account information any time and sign up for e-billing through MyCity Online. E-billing is convenient and eco-friendly, reducing paper waste.
1. Log in or create a profile at MyCity Online.
2. Register your utility bill account using your six-digit account number and access code found on your utility bill.
3. Select to receive your utility bills **by email**.
You will receive your next utility bill by email.
## How to Pay Your Utility Bill
We are pleased to provide a variety of secure and convenient methods to pay your utility bill.
You can pay your utility bill through most financial institution's online banking service. To obtain access to online banking services, please contact your financial institution. Once you have access, add the City as a Bill Payee for your respective bill. Search for 'Victoria (BC) City Utilities'. The exact format may differ at each financial institution.
VISA, Mastercard, or American Express are accepted for utility bills.
Online Payments
The pre-authorized withdrawal program makes budgeting easier and helps you avoid the risk of a penalty.
Once you sign up for the pre-authorized payment program for your utility bill, your financial institution will automatically withdraw the balance of your utility bill on the due date. You will still receive a copy of your bill in the mail for your records, but you won't have to wait in line, write cheques or pay postage or late fees. Your bill will always be paid on time - even when you're on vacation.
Apply for Pre-Authorized Withdrawals
**NOTE:** During mail service disruption, **we do not recommend mailing payments** to avoid late penalties.
During regular mail service, pay by mail with remittance, allowing five business days for payment to reach us. Make cheques payable to: **City of Victoria**. Cheques may be post-dated to due date.
Pay in person at the Public Service Centre in City Hall, 1 Centennial Square, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., or drop box after hours located at the Pandora Street entrance.
## Utility FAQs
Access your utility account information online 24 hours a day to review billing history. Go to MyCity Online to register.
If you are moving or changing your name or mailing address please contact utility billing for a special reading, email us at [email protected] or phone 250.361.0226.
Utilities are billed every 4 months; there are 4 different billing groups:
* January, May and September 15
* February, June and October 15
* March, July and November 15
* April, August and December 15
The utility bill is due and payable by the due date indicated on the front of the utility bill. A late payment charge will be imposed on overdue accounts. As of December 31, any outstanding amount billed before November will be transferred to the property tax roll as property arrears. It then owes on the property taxes as arrears on the property. Interest accumulates at the going tax rate from the 1st of January until the date of payment is received.
No. Utilities are exempt from GST.
Water consumption and service charge, City of Victoria and CRD sewer, and residential garbage if applicable.
The tenant, property manager or the owner can receive the utility bill, but the owner is always responsible for any outstanding amounts.
Utilities are a charge against the property and any outstanding amounts incurred by the previous owner stays outstanding against the property to where the water was delivered.
Owners are required to give notice to the Utility Billing Department of any change of ownership. Persons purchasing property should see that utility rates are paid; the current property owner is responsible for utility accounts unpaid by former owners or occupants.
A new tenant is not responsible for arrears owing prior to their occupancy date, but this amount will stay outstanding on the bill until it is paid. It is the owners' responsibility.
The homeowner must maintain clear access to the water meter to minimum of three feet on each side of the meter box and four feet above. Should it become necessary for the Water Department to clear the access to the water meter box to obtain a reading, these costs will be added to your water account.
## Garbage Rates
Residential garbage is billed based on the legal building occupancy of the property (the number of dwelling units), not the number of cans collected. Single-family dwellings are billed as one dwelling unit, duplexes are billed as two dwelling units and so on.
The residential garbage rates, effective January 1, 2026, are as follows:
| Bin Size | Rate |
| --- | --- |
| 80 litre bin | $83.30 every four months |
| 120 litre bin | $95.93 every four months |
| 180 litre bin | $114.89 every four months |
| 240 litre bin (one bin shared by two dwellings within same property/one folio) | $191.86 every four months |
| 240 litre bin (one bin shared by three dwellings within same property/one folio) | $249.90 every four months |
| No grey garbage bin | $83.30 every four months |
Visit the Curbside Collection page for more information about garbage (grey bin) collection.
## Water Rate
Water consumption is metered and measured in units. One unit equals 100 cubic feet, 623 gallons or 2,832 litres.
Water meters are read every four months or three times a year. Readings are only estimated when weather conditions do not permit access to the meters.
The water consumption rate, effective January 1, 2026, is $5.49 per unit.
### Water Service Charge Rate
The water service charge is a flat rate based on the size of service connected with the City of Victoria.
* ½ service $34.57
* ¾ service $39.23
* 1.0" service $57.50
* 1.5" service $71.88
* 2.0" service $114.60
* 3.0" service $215.52
* 4.0" service $344.43
* 6.0" service $644.18
* 8.0" service $1431.05
## Water FAQs
The consumption charge covers the cost of water supplied by the Capital Regional District (CRD). The service charge covers the cost to maintain the City of Victoria and Esquimalt waterworks system.
Please contact Public Works at 250.361.0400.
An underground leak on private property between the meter and the building or inside the building is the owners' responsibility and should be repaired by a plumber. If the plumber exposes the leak and notes it is on City property, please contact Public Works immediately at 250.361.0400 while the leak is exposed.
## Sewer Rate
Sewer is based on your metered water consumption The sewer rate is multiplied by the number of units of water measured.
The sewer rate, effective January 1, 2026, is as follows:
* January 1 to May 31: $2.93/unit
* June 1 to September 30: $2.05/unit (summer month rate)
* October 1 to December 31: $2.93/unit
Summer rates are lower than non-summer rates to compensate for lawn and garden watering.
### CRD Sewer Rate
CRD sewer is based on your metered water consumption. The CRD sewer rate is multiplied by the number of units of water measured.
The CRD sewer rate, effective January 1, 2026, is as follows:
* January 1 to May 31: $7.51/unit
* June 1 to September 30: $5.26/unit (summer month rate)
* October 1 to December 31: $7.51/unit
## Sewer FAQs
The sewer charge is for sewage disposal.
There is a sewer frontage charge on City of Victoria property taxes. This money is used to maintain the City of Victoria sewer system.
No, the sewer charges on the utility bill are only based on your water consumption. Any inquiries regarding sewer problems or repairs should be directed to Public Works at 250.361.0400.
## Stormwater Rate
Stormwater utility charges are based on the following four characteristics that are specific to your property. All rates are effective January 1, 2026.
Impervious Area refers to hard surfaces such as roofs, parking areas and driveways. Rainwater flows off these areas and is diverted into the stormwater system. Imperious surface areas were measured through building plans, aerial photography and GIS mapping technology.
The impervious area rate is $1.1062 per square metre.
Keeping our streets clean goes a long way to keeping our stormwater clean. This is determined by the length of your property's street frontage and your street type.
The street cleaning rate is charge per metre of street frontage and rates very by street type:
* local streets: $2.22
* collector streets: $4.73
* arterial streets: $5.26
* downtown streets: $53.36
Note: Low Density Residential properties are charged the Local Streets rate regardless of street type.
Intensity Code refers to the impact a property has on the stormwater system, based on the property type. This rate is a flat fee by property type, as determined by B.C. Assessment:
* low density residential: $0
* multi-family residential: $102.85
* civic / institutional: $92.31
* commercial / industrial: $198.51
This is a program to clean stormwater before it leaves a property. Properties will be registered in the program if they:
* have 10 or more parking spaces
* are automotive businesses, recreation facilities, recycling operations or storage yards
* have construction activities on site
The annual rate per registered property is $218.42.
Learn more about stormwater management and the Codes of Practice
Learn more about Stormwater Management
### Related links
* Waste Collection