Kelowna Property Taxes 2025: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you own a home in Kelowna, staying ahead of your property tax deadlines and understanding how your tax bill is calculated can make a real difference—not just for your wallet, but for your peace of mind. Whether you're budgeting for the year ahead or trying to understand how your assessed value affects what you owe, this guide breaks down the 2025 Kelowna property tax landscape in a way that’s easy to follow.

From tax rate updates to the home owner grant and payment options, we’ll walk through the key details every Kelowna homeowner should know this year.

At a Glance: What’s New in 2025

• Kelowna’s 2025 property tax increase is 4.34%, helping to support essential services while keeping the city on a sustainable financial path.
• July 2, 2025, is the payment deadline for 2025 taxes—mark your calendar to avoid penalties.
• The BC home owner grant continues to provide relief for eligible homeowners, but remember—you need to apply every year.

Why Property Taxes Matter in Kelowna

For Kelowna homeowners, property taxes are a regular part of life—and while they might not be the most exciting bill to pay, they play a big role in keeping the city running smoothly. From road maintenance and fire protection to parks, libraries, and affordable housing programs, your tax dollars help fund essential services we all rely on.

In 2025, Kelowna property taxes continue to support the city’s growing needs while balancing affordability. Interestingly, only about 22% of the city’s operating budget comes from property taxes. The rest is made up of other funding sources like provincial grants, utility fees, and services such as Kelowna International Airport and city-run parking.

No matter what type of property you own—condo, single-family home, or commercial space—property taxes are calculated based on your property's assessed value. Knowing how your bill is put together and staying on top of key deadlines can help you avoid late fees and feel more in control of your financial planning.

Your 2025 Kelowna Property Tax Bill: Rates, Breakdown & What to Expect

If you’re a homeowner in Kelowna, your 2025 property tax notice will reflect a 4.34% municipal tax increase. That’s made up of a 3.36% general increase, plus 1% dedicated specifically to public safety initiatives. On an average residential property assessed at $973,000, that adds up to roughly $108 more this year—or about $9.33 per month.

This increase supports services like RCMP, fire protection, transit, infrastructure maintenance, and long-term community planning. With rising costs across the board, the city has worked to keep the increase reasonable—especially compared to other similar-sized municipalities across B.C.

But how exactly is your bill calculated?

Your property tax amount is based on the assessed value of your home, multiplied by the current year’s tax rate. Each property is assessed annually by BC Assessment, using the market value as of July 1 of the previous year. That assessment forms the foundation of your tax bill.

Your total tax amount also includes levies from several other agencies beyond the City of Kelowna, such as:

• The Province of British Columbia
• The Regional District of Central Okanagan
• The BC Assessment Authority
• The Okanagan Regional Library

These combined charges make up your total Kelowna property tax bill.

📬 When to Expect Your Tax Notice: Property tax notices are typically mailed out by the end of May.
⏳ When It’s Due: Full payment is due July 2, 2025.
⚠️ Late Payments: A 10% penalty applies to any unpaid balance as of July 3, and interest begins accruing from January 1 of this year.

What Else Is Included in Your Kelowna Property Tax Bill?

While the City of Kelowna sets the municipal portion of your property taxes, your total bill also includes additional levies collected on behalf of other organizations. These charges help fund regional, provincial, and community-wide services that benefit residents across the Okanagan.

Here’s what’s typically included:

• Province of B.C. – Funds provincial programs and services
• Regional District of Central Okanagan – Supports shared services like waste management, emergency planning, and regional parks
• Okanagan Regional Library – Helps keep library services accessible and well-resourced
• BC Assessment Authority – Covers the cost of assessing property values across the province

Depending on your location, your bill may also include local area service charges or specific levies for infrastructure improvements, parks, and other community amenities.

Understanding Your Property’s Assessed Value

At the heart of your Kelowna property tax bill is your property's assessed value. This number is determined by BC Assessment, which reviews and updates property values every year. For 2025, assessments are based on the estimated market value of your home as of July 1, 2024.

Several factors influence your property’s assessed value, including:

• Location and neighbourhood trends
• Property size and condition
• Home type (condo, townhome, single-family, etc.)
• Recent sales of similar properties nearby

The goal is to keep things fair and consistent. BC Assessment aims to ensure that properties with similar characteristics are valued similarly, across the board.

📌 Think your assessment is off?
If you believe your property’s assessed value doesn’t reflect its true market value—maybe because of location, condition, or something unique about the lot—you can file an appeal.

BC Home Owner Grant: A Little Help With Your Property Taxes

If your property is your principal residence, you may be eligible for the BC home owner grant—a provincial program designed to reduce the amount of property tax you have to pay each year.

For 2025, homeowners in Kelowna and other qualifying areas outside major urban regions may receive up to $770 off their property tax bill. In Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, or the Capital Regional District, the grant is $570.

To qualify for the basic grant, your home must:

• Be your principal residence
• Be located in B.C.
• Have an assessed value of $2,175,000 or less

🏡 If your property is assessed above that amount, the grant is reduced by $5 for every $1,000 over the limit.

There are also additional grants for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities that may offer greater tax relief.

How to Apply

You must apply every year—even if you’ve qualified in the past.

✅ Apply online at gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant
✅ Use your property’s roll number and jurisdiction code

💡 Missed a previous year? You may still be eligible for a retroactive grant.

How to Pay Your Kelowna Property Taxes

There are several ways to pay your property taxes in Kelowna:

💻 eTaxBC (Online)

Pay securely, apply for the home owner grant, and manage your account at etax.gov.bc.ca

🏦 Through Your Bank or Credit Union

Use online banking, ATMs, phone banking, or pay in person.

🏠 Through Your Mortgage

If your lender pays the taxes on your behalf, double-check that they’ve submitted payment on time. You’ll still need to apply for the home owner grant separately.

✉️ In Person or By Mail

Drop off payment at City Hall or mail a cheque with your remittance slip. Mail early—postmarks aren’t accepted as proof of on-time payment.

What You Need to Know About the Speculation and Vacancy Tax

If you own residential property in Kelowna, you're required to declare your occupancy status for the Speculation and Vacancy Tax—even if you live in your home year-round.

• Most local homeowners qualify for exemptions
• If your home sits vacant for most of the year, you may be subject to the tax
• Canadian residents pay 0.5%, while foreign owners may pay 2%

This tax is designed to help turn empty homes into housing and ease B.C.’s housing shortage. Learn more or file your declaration at gov.bc.ca/spectax

Mark Your Calendar: Important Deadlines for 2025

🎯 July 2 – Deadline to pay property taxes
⚠️ July 3 – Late penalties apply
🏛️ July 15 – Permissive and heritage tax exemption applications due
📈 January 1, 2026 – Interest begins on unpaid taxes

Wrapping It Up: What Kelowna Homeowners Should Remember

Property taxes fund the services that keep Kelowna safe, connected, and vibrant. By staying informed, applying for available grants, and meeting deadlines, you can feel confident you’re managing your responsibilities and making the most of the tools available to you.

Questions about your assessment? Curious about how these costs might impact your next move? I’m always here to help.

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