The City of Prince Rupert has released its 2026 property tax rates, and while most homeowners will see only a tiny bump, local nonprofits and recreation groups are facing a staggering fivefold increase in their municipal levy this year. The new rates, approved by City Council in April, are due by July 2, 2026.
For a typical residential property, the municipal tax rate edged up by just over a third of a percent to $5.29 per $1,000 of assessed value. But for properties in Class 8, which covers recreation and nonprofit organizations, the rate has been hiked from $4.16 to $22.69 per $1,000. That is an increase of about 445 percent, bringing it to the exact same level as the business tax rate.
The change eliminates a long-standing discount that kept nonprofit tax rates far below commercial ones for nearly a decade. City Manager Rob Buchan has pointed to reduced payments in lieu of taxes from port properties as a major reason behind the budget pressures that led to this year’s tax shift.
Many local groups that own buildings or land could see their tax bills multiply. The Prince Rupert Curling Club, the Museum of Northern BC, the Prince Rupert Gymnastics Association, and the Prince Rupert Rowing and Yachting Club are among the organizations listed as receiving permissive tax exemptions this year, but the exemption estimates were calculated using last year’s lower rates. That means the actual tax relief these groups receive in 2026 may differ from what the City has budgeted, and any portion of a tax bill not covered by a full exemption will be significantly larger in 2026.
The City does provide permissive tax exemptions under the Community Charter, with an estimated $488,893.68 set aside for 2026-2027 to offset taxes for more than 47 properties, including places of worship, sports clubs, and cultural centres. The largest single exemption goes to the Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre Society, known as the Lester Centre, at $146,107.40. However, Council has been scaling back these exemptions in recent years, which could compound the strain on community organizations already hit by the rate jump.
Anyone who has not yet received their 2026 property tax notice should contact the City of Prince Rupert‘s Finance Department. All payments must be in before 4:30 p.m. on July 2.
