The City of Port Colborne, Ontario, updated its website on March 1, 2026, to explain that properties with two years of unpaid taxes may now be sold to recover the debt. This move follows provincial laws that allow the municipality to sell land to collect property taxes that have fallen behind for a significant amount of time.
According to the City of Port Colborne, a tax arrears certificate can be registered if taxes remain unpaid by January 1 of the second year after they were originally owed. Affected property owners, landlords, and estate administrators are encouraged to contact the tax office to discuss payment or relief options.
This update comes just after the first interim tax payment for the year was due on February 27, 2026. The city mailed these tax bills on February 6, and the next installment is due on April 30, 2026.
Residents are also seeing higher bills this year after the 2026 budget included a 3.87 per cent increase in the municipal tax levy. This change adds roughly $90 to the annual tax bill for a home with an average assessment of about $203,000.
Properties designated for sale will be advertised in the local newspaper and on the city website. Potential buyers and real estate professionals can also find listings through the Ontario Tax Sales website.
