The City of Prince Rupert has published its list of permissive property tax exemptions for 2027, granting just under half a million dollars in municipal tax relief to 35 local organizations. The exemptions total $495,363.10 and were announced in a public notice dated August 27, 2026, under the Permissive Property Tax Exemption Bylaw.
The largest single recipient is the Prince Rupert Performing Arts Centre Society, which operates the Lester Centre of the Arts. It will receive $145,707.45, nearly 30 percent of the total exemptions. Other major beneficiaries include the Museum of Northern BC at $37,850.81, the Prince Rupert Golf Club with a combined $36,423.18 across four parcels, and the Prince Rupert Curling Club at $27,661.95. Places of worship altogether receive $8,833.41, shared among 15 religious organizations.
The exemptions are allowed under Section 224 of the BC Community Charter, which lets councils free properties owned or used for charitable, philanthropic, or government purposes from municipal property taxes. In practice, the cost of those taxes is made up by other property owners and residents in the community. The 2027 total marks a 14.1 percent increase over the $434,014.85 exempted in 2024.
A wide range of community groups benefit from the program. The BC SPCA receives a combined $25,324.64 for its three properties, Cedar Village Housing Society gets $21,625.60 for not-for-profit housing, and the Friendship House Association of Prince Rupert is exempted $17,531.01. Sports and recreation are also supported, with the Prince Rupert Racquet Association receiving $5,618.31.
The full list of exempt properties and amounts is available on the City of Prince Rupert website. Residents with questions can contact Chief Financial Officer Corinne Bomben at 250-627-0935.
