Owen Sound homeowners will soon get a clearer picture of what it will cost to use city services next year, after council posted notice of a sweeping new fees by-law. The formal notice, published May 28, 2026, signals an upcoming vote on a by-law that sets rates for everything from park bookings and transit to bag tags and water bills.
The proposed Fees and Charges By-law, which would replace the current rules adopted last year, incorporates recommendations from three staff reports covering 2026 service fees, water and sewer rates, and a new patio permit framework. Council is set to vote on the by-law at its June 15, 2026 meeting at City Hall, starting at 5:30 p.m.
For the average household, the most noticeable change will likely be on the water and wastewater side. The by-law locks in a 5 per cent increase to the base water rate, while the sewer surcharge drops from 124 per cent to 120 per cent of water charges. The combined effect works out to roughly a 3.1 per cent increase for a typical residential customer. According to city figures, that means a home using about 200 cubic metres of water a year can expect to pay approximately $52 more annually.
The water rate adjustment comes on the heels of a major meter replacement program that saw new radio-transmitting meters installed across the city, which staff say has led to more accurate readings and, in some cases, higher bills for residents who may have had leaks or running toilets going undetected. The higher rates are expected to take effect with July 2026 billing cycles.
Beyond water, the update follows broader cost pressures already baked into the 2026 city budget. Council earlier adopted a spending plan that raises the total municipal levy by 5.2 per cent, translating to a property tax increase of about 4.72 per cent when combined with Grey County and education levies. For an average home assessed at $230,000, that works out to roughly $214 more a year, or $18 a month. Garbage bag tags, which rose to $3 each last summer alongside the green bin program launch, would remain in place under the new by-law.
Residents who want to weigh in can review the proposed fees on the City of Owen Sound website. Questions or feedback can be directed to David Crane, Deputy Treasurer, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1223 or [email protected]. The June 15 vote is expected to be one of the last major fee-setting decisions by the current council before a municipal election in October, in which long-time Mayor Ian Boddy has already said he will not seek re-election.
