Utility Billing Exemptions for Secondary Suites

All properties with secondary suites are subject to secondary suite water and sewer charges.  Payment of the secondary suite utility charge to the City does not mean a suite is authorized.  There are certain circumstances where a property may be eligible for exemption.

If the suite is vacant, or the suite is internally connected with the rest of the house and all occupants may come and go throughout the principal dwelling and suite, then the property may be eligible for an exemption from the suite utility charges. To qualify for the exemption, an affidavit called a Statutory Declaration (Stat Dec) must be signed.  By signing the Stat Dec you will be swearing under oath, as if in court, that the suite is not occupied as a separate unit, that if you decide to occupy it as a separate unit in the future you will notify the City, and that you are aware the secondary suite utility charge would resume. The Stat Dec signing must be done in person at City Hall and will take approximately five minutes. To determine a property's eligibility or make a Stat Dec, contact the Planning Division.

The City will also consider “back-dating” the utility charge exemption if the secondary suite has been unoccupied as a separate unit for a period of time. To qualify for a refund, you must write a letter to the Planning Division describing the occupancy of the suite, including dates of occupancy. An exemption can be granted to the beginning of the previous calendar year.