Taxable areas for the speculation and vacancy tax

Only those owning property classed as residential and located in a designated taxable area in B.C. must complete a declaration for the speculation and vacancy tax. For a complete definition of "ownership," see Terms and definitions.

On this page

• New for 2025 - Speculation and vacancy tax expansion
• Speculation and vacancy tax location map
• List of taxable areas
• Excluded areas

New for 2025 - Speculation and vacancy tax expansion

The following taxable areas are new for the 2024 tax year. Residential property owners in these new areas will declare for the first time in January 2025, once they have received their declaration letter:

• City of Courtenay
• City of Kamloops
• City of Parksville
• City of Penticton
• City of Salmon Arm
• City of Vernon*
• District of Coldstream
• District of Lake Country
• District of Peachland
• District of Summerland
• Town of Comox
• Town of Qualicum Beach
• Village of Cumberland

*See Excluded areas.

Speculation and vacancy tax location map

Use our interactive location map to find out if your property is in a designated taxable area. 

This map is up to date and includes the 13 new municipalities announced by the B.C. Government for the 2024 tax year. Owners in these new areas will declare for the first time in January 2025.

Note: This map is for your convenience only. Refer to the legislation for details. 

You can also use the Local Government Boundaries map to find out if your property lies within the boundaries of a specific municipality. 

Find out when to expect your declaration letter. 

Learn about excluded areas and other exclusions from the tax when your property is in a taxable area. 

List of taxable areas

• City of Abbotsford
• City of Chilliwack
• City of Duncan
• City of Kelowna
• City of Nanaimo
• City of West Kelowna
• District of Lantzville
• District of Mission
• District of North Cowichan
• District of Squamish
• Town of Ladysmith
• Town of Lake Cowichan
• Village of Lions Bay

Capital Regional District

• City of Colwood
• City of Langford
• City of Victoria 
• District of Central Saanich
• District of Highlands
• District of Metchosin
• District of North Saanich
• District of Oak Bay
• District of Saanich
• District of Sooke
• Town of Sidney
• Town of View Royal
• Township of Esquimalt

Metro Vancouver Regional District 

• City of Burnaby
• City of Coquitlam
• City of Delta
• City of Langley
• City of Maple Ridge
• City of New Westminster
• City of North Vancouver
• City of Pitt Meadows
• City of Port Coquitlam
• City of Port Moody
• City of Richmond
• City of Surrey
• City of Vancouver
• City of White Rock
• District of North Vancouver
• District of West Vancouver
• Township of Langley
• UBC lands
• University Endowment Lands
• Village of Anmore
• Village of Belcarra

Excluded areas

Reserve lands, treaty lands and lands of self-governing Indigenous Nations are not part of the taxable areas.

Islands that are accessible only by air or water are not part of the taxable areas, except for Vancouver Island.

Effective January 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Legislative Assembly and the approval of any necessary regulation changes, the Predator Ridge resort in the City of Vernon is excluded from the taxable areas of the speculation and vacancy tax.