Whereas the City of Vancouver has authority through the Vancouver Charter to implement an Annual Vacancy Tax; And whereas the City of White Rock is governed through the Community Charter where there is no current authority to implement a Vacancy Tax and it is believed that there are a number of vacant residential and commercial properties in the City of White Rock: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM work with the Province of British Columbia to amend the authority given to Local Governments through the Community Charter permitting municipalities the authority to impose, by bylaw, an annual vacancy tax on taxable residential and commercial properties, and that the criteria and administrative requirements be similar to those of the Vancouver Charter.
Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing One of the Provinces top priorities is supporting our local governments to address housing affordability for British Columbians. The Province is committed to implementing policies to support this goal for both renters and buyers. In 2016, the Empty Homes Tax authority was specifically developed for the City of Vancouver to apply to residential properties only. The design of the tax reflects Vancouvers unique legislation, needs, and resources, and the purposes for which it was seeking to impose a tax. A new tax authority must be usable by all local governments in BC. This means that the Empty Homes Tax cannot easily be applied to the diversity of communities across BC, with their differing needs and capacity. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing is focused on observing Vancouvers experience with the Empty Homes Tax; that includes understanding adjustments they make to their rules and the outcome of legal challenges underway to that tax. While the Province is not currently considering amendments enabling other local governments to tax vacant properties, whether residential or commercial, there are other tools that address housing affordability concerns. This includes the provincial speculation and vacancy tax on vacant residential properties in certain areas of BC, such as White Rock. The provincial speculation and vacancy tax supports a similar goal as the Empty Homes Tax by encouraging owners of vacant properties to either rent or release those properties for sale. This revenue supports affordable housing initiatives across BC.