2026
DISTRICT OF LAKE COUNTRY
2026 BUDGET
On March 3, 2026, Council adopted the five-year financial plan for Lake Country which includes the 2026 budget. After public engagement with the community, including two open houses held on January 29 and February 4 and feedback on the Let’s Talk online platform, Council approved a 5.75% increase.
As the District continues to manage cost pressures in areas such as policing, fire protection, bylaw services, and infrastructure, Council remains focused on balancing the need to maintain and improve essential services while minimizing the impact on taxpayers.
For the typical (median) single-family home, the increase represents an approximate increase of $160 annually or $13 monthly.
Go paperless! Receive your bills and notices on time by signing up at www.MyLakeCountry.ca
How does the BC Assessment value impact my municipal tax assessment?
Earlier this year, BC Assessment released 2026 assessments throughout BC that reflect the value of properties as of July 2025. The average Lake Country single-family home is valued at $1,079,000, a 1.2% increase from last year’s assessment of $1,066,000. Here is a guide for how your property assessment change will impact your tax bill:
• If your property’s value decreased or increased by less than the 1.2% average increase for the residential class, you can expect the increase on the municipal portion of your tax bill to be less than 5.75%.
• If your property’s value change was similar to the average increase of 1.2% for the residential class, you can expect the increase on the municipal portion of your tax bill to be approximately 5.75%.
• If your property’s value increased by more than the 1.2% average increase for the residential class, you can expect the increase on the municipal portion of your tax bill to be more than 5.75%.
Visit letstalk.lakecountry.bc.ca to review budget information and watch Council meeting recordings relating to the 2026 budget.
The District began reviewing its Official Community Plan (OCP) in 2025. The OCP provides the 20-year vision for neighbourhood growth, business development, and community change.
Public feedback has been a key component of the OCP review. Feedback was collected on community values, guiding principles, strategic land use directions and associated policies ideas.
The District will seek additional feedback from the public to complete the OCP review, which is expected to conclude mid-2026. Engagement is important to ensure that the community’s needs are considered in the draft plan.
Once adopted, the resulting document will provide an updated vision for the community and serve as a guide to inform future decisions regarding land use, zoning, housing, infrastructure, environmental protection, parks, recreation and other community planning priorities.
Opportunities for feedback to inform the OCP review can be found on the project website: letsgrowlakecountry.bc.ca
Get engaged, your opinion matters! Let’s Grow Lake Country Together!
Small Town Feel, Big Possibilities.
OCP Review & Update Process
PUBLIC ROAD PARKING
Reminder: in accordance with the Highways Bylaw 1189, 2022 - vehicles cannot be parked on public roads for more than 24-consecutive hours. This parking restriction includes recreational vehicles and trailers in addition to all other vehicle types. Detached/unhitched trailers may not be parked on public roads for any length of time.
If a vehicle or RV is parked in the same spot on the public road right-of-way for over 24 hours, the Bylaw team will leave a warning notice. Their goal is to achieve voluntary compliance, and they may knock on the door to talk to the resident about the safety issue’s this poses for the neighbourhood. Some residents have multiple vehicles, boat trailers and RVs parked on the road. Immediate action must be taken to move the vehicle to the driveway on private property or arrangements must be made with an appropriate storage facility. If action is not taken by the owner after a warning letter is provided, the vehicle may be ticketed or towed.
The extra area on the side of the traffic flow lane is not part of private property. Please review the District’s GIS mapping tool to understand property lines. It has been noted that several property owners have landscaped portions of the public road right-of-way or developed their own parking areas. Most of these parking areas are not within the homeowner’s property and would be part of the 24-hour parking limit.
Bylaw enforcement is in place to maintain community safety, enhance site lines for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists and ensure there are minimal obstacles for effective snow removal, garbage collection and emergency response.
Questions or concerns about the bylaw and enforcement can be directed to bylaw@lakecountry.bc.ca or 250-766-6673.
Property lines, public road and traffic flow lane lines are visible in these map images, showing vehicles and landscaping intruding on flow lanes.
ONLINE PROPERTY TAX, UTILITY & BUSINESS LICENCE INVOICES
Pay your bills and handle your District info online with MyLakeCountry.ca
MyLakeCountry.ca is an online portal that provides residents access to their property tax, utility bills, building permits and business licence information. After registering your profile, you can securely and easily make payments from your account.
If you still receive a paper bill, you only have to select YES to switch to fully paperless billing.
Benefits of secure online billing:
• Receive your bill faster, making it easier to manage your budget.
• Receive an email notification when your bill is ready. This includes the bill amount and due date.
• Pay your bill via your computer or mobile device.
• Increase the security of your bill information.
• Decrease your impact on the environment by going paper-free. How to switch to online billing
Switching from paper to online billing is fast, easy and free. Here is what to do:
1. Create a profile at MyLakeCountry.ca, all you’ll need is your name, phone number, email address and to create a password and security question.
2. Link Accounts. You’ll have the option of linking your business licence, property tax or utility account to your profile. Make sure to have a copy of one of your most recent bills so you have the information you will need.
3. Go paperless. Once logged in, click ‘Yes’ to subscribe for eBilling.
If you need help with this process, please contact customerservice@lakecountry.bc.ca or call 250-766-5650.
Important 2026 Dates
April Sent: Utility Invoices First Quarter 2026
(see page 9)
May 31 Due: Utility Invoices First Quarter 2026
Late May Sent: Property Tax Notices
Access your invoice online (MyLakeCountry.ca)
May to July 2 Apply for your Homeowner Grant online
(NOTE: the District cannot apply or submit your application for the homeowner grant. Apply by July 2nd to avoid penalty gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant)
July Sent: Utility Invoices Second Quarter 2026
Access your invoice online (MyLakeCountry.ca)
July 2
(always first business day of July) Due: Property Tax Due Date Payments and grants not received by July 2 will incur a 10% non-discretionary penalty.
August 31 Due: Utility Invoices Second Quarter 2026
October Sent: Utility Invoices Third Quarter 2026
November 30 Due: Utility Invoices Third Quarter 2026
December 16 Sent: 2027 Business Licence Renewals
Access your invoice online (MyLakeCountry.ca)
December 31 Due: Deadline to pay outstanding property taxes before additional interest charges apply.
January 2027 Sent: Utility Invoices Fourth Quarter 2027
February 28 2027 Due: Utility Invoices Fourth Quarter 2027
March 1 2027 Due: 2027 Business Licence Fee
Pop Up Recycling Depot Dates
March 28
April 25
July 25
October 17
10 am until 2 pm in the parking lot at Municipal Hall (10150 Bottom Wood Lake Rd). Drop off glass, Styrofoam, plastic bags, electronics, small appliances, batteries, light bulbs and light fixtures. For residents that do not have curbside collection, containers, paper and cardboard are also accepted. Residential recyclables only please, no commercial material is accepted.
To find out more about the pop-up depots and what materials can be recycled, go to rdco.com/recycle or email recycle@rdco.com
Know Your Property Lines
• Before beginning any project, check your property lines first! Approximate property boundaries can be viewed on the GIS map at www.lakecountry.bc.ca/maps.
• Working near the road, sidewalk, or boulevard? Any construction, storage of materials/equipment, or alteration within the District Right of Way requires a Permit to Construct in Right of Way.
• The permit is free and applying in advance can save you time and money by helping prevent delays, stop-work orders, or the removal of work that does not meet District requirements.
How it Works Start Using Your New Boxes in May!
PINK BOX
Bundle flexible plastics inside reused clear plastic bags (like bread or produce bags) before placingthem in your pink box.
Place loose paper, cardboard, plastic containers, cartons and metal containers in your bin.
BLUE LIDDED CART Paper
Flexible Plastics
Flexible plastics are soft, lightweight, and easy to crumple or fold.
Cartons and Plastic Containers
Metal Containers
GREY BOX
Place non-deposit glass bottles and jars in your grey box.
PINK BOX
Regional Waste Reduction Office 250-469-6250 • rdco.com/recycle or download the Recycle Coach App.
Need to Report a Community Issue or Concern
For non-emergency bylaw or operational concerns, the District has an online service portal that can be accessed 24/7 to report an issue. Visit lakecountry.bc.ca/report
Municipal staff are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (excluding statutory holidays). Bylaw Officers are available Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; extended hours begin June-September.
To report a bylaw contravention, report use the online at lakecountry.bc.ca/report, email bylaw@lakecountry.bc.ca or call 250-766-6673.
Don’t Miss Important Information!
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WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY?
IMPORTANT - SIGN UP TO THESE THREE WEBSITES TO RECEIVE IMPORTANT TIMELY INFORMATION – FAST!
Information for residents specific to Lake Country emergencies will be sent out to email subscribers. Subscribe to have information sent directly to your inbox. lakecountry.bc.ca/subscribe
EMERGENCY
EVACUATION LEVELS WHAT DO THEY MEAN AND WHAT SHOULD I
Central Okanagan residents should sign up for email updates to receive notifications from the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) when the EOC is activated. coemergency.ca
myLakeCountry.ca
MyLakeCountry eServices is a secure, online service that provides Lake Country residents with instant access to their property tax and utility accounts 24/7 and enables users to sign up for eBilling. The database also allows emergency information to be sent out by areas (example – water outage impacting District customers).
NOTE: Pay attention to the official channels listed above as media may not publish the most up to date information for your area. Social media is not always accurate.
An event has taken place that may require residents to BE READY TO LEAVE their homes ON SHORT NOTICE. Gather your important documents; prepare yourself with several days of clothing, toiletries and medication; and make arrangements for pets. Locate all family members and designate a meeting area outside of the evacuation area should an Evacuation Order be called while you are separate.
An event has made it necessary for residents to LEAVE their homes IMMEDIATELY for their own safety. Residents will be restricted from returning.
Notifications and updates will be provided through lakecountry.bc.ca and coemergency.ca and will be shared with media.
There is an IMMEDIATE THREAT TO the LIFE AND SAFETY of individuals. An emergency of this sort does not allow for any warnings or time to prepare to evacuate. Usually, the RCMP, Bylaw officers or fire fighters will come to your home to tell you to leave immediately.
Gather your family. DO NOT use more vehicles than you have to.
Take critical items (ID, medicine, purse, wallet, and keys) ONLY if they are immediately available.
Take pets in pet kennels or on leash.
INFORMATION WILL BE SENT TO YOUR INBOX
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