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Flat utility rates

Rates are set each year by City Council.

Water and sewer annual flat rates

Water rates

Property type 2018 2017 2016
Single family dwelling $653 $616 $592
Single family dwelling with laneway house $885 $835 $803
Single family dwelling with suite $885 $835 $803
Single family dwelling with suite and laneway house $1,118 $1,055 $1,014
Strata duplex (per dwelling unit) $442 $417 $401
Vacant lot without water service $148 N/A N/A

Sewer rates

Property type 2018 2017 2016
Single family dwelling $424 $384 $345
Single family dwelling with laneway house $573 $519 $466
Single family dwelling with suite $573 $519 $466
Single family dwelling with suite and laneway house $722 $654 $588
Strata duplex (per dwelling unit) $287 $260 $234
Vacant lot without water service $242 $219 $197

Annual fireline rates

Pipe size (in mm) 2018 2017 2016
50 mm $226 $222 $218
75 mm $340 $333 $326
100 mm $469 $460 $451
150 mm $541 $530 $520
200 mm $634 $622 $610
250 mm $674 $661 $648
300 mm $722 $708 $694

Other fees

Charge 2018 2017 2016
Special reading fee $100 $100 $104
Returned cheque fee $35 $35 $35
Meter testing fee $200 $200 $200

Cross connection fees

Type of cross connection 2018 2017 2016
First assembly $30 $29 $28
Additional assembly $13 $13 $13

Recycling utility credit

On October 3, 2016, Recycle BC (formerly known as Multi-Material BC - MMBC) took on full responsibility for Vancouver's recycling program and we ended our term as their contracted service provider. Homeowners are receiving a credit of $3.02 (per suite) for the period between October 3 and December 31, 2016, on their 2017 main tax notice.

Vancouver homeowners will no longer be charged a recycling utility fee for curbside recycling collection and will now receive the basic recycling service at no cost through Recycle BC.

Recycle BC is funded by retailers, manufacturers, and restaurants, shifting costs away from homeowners.

Learn more about the Recycle BC program 

Garbage bin collection annual rates

Bin size 2018 2017 2016
75 L $84 $75 $75
120 L $96 $86 $87
180 L $114 $102 $103
240 L $131 $117 $119
360 L $165 $148 $151

Note When flat-rated utility services change after the annual utility or Main property tax bill, we will recalculate the charges prior to the next annual billing. This may result in a new bill being issued.

Bin size 2018 2017 2016
75 L $108 $96 $97
120 L $122 $109 $110
180 L $141 $126 $128
240 L $160 $144 $146
360 L $198 $179 $182

Minimum annual rates for residential properties

The City provides a minimum size and quantity of garbage bins to residential properties based on the number of dwelling units. The annual rate we charge is based on the minimum size and quantity of bins.

Dwelling units Minimum number of
carts and sizes billed		 2018 2017 2016
1 75 L $84 $75 $75
2 120 L $96 $86 $87
3 180 L $114 $102 $103
4 240 L $131 $117 $119
5 360 L $165 $148 $151
6 360 L $165 $148 $151
7 360 L $165 $148 $151
8 240 L + 180 L $245 $219 $222
9 240 L + 240 L $262 $234 $238
10 360 L + 180 L $279 $250 $254
11 360 L + 240 L $296 $265 $270
12 360 L + 240 L $296 $265 $270
13 360 L + 360 L $330 $296 $302
14 360 L + 360 L $330 $296 $302
15 360 L + 240 L + 180 L $410 $367 $373
16 360 L + 240 L + 240 L $427 $382 $389
17 360 L + 360 L + 180 L $444 $398 $405
18 360 L + 360 L + 180 L $444 $398 $405
19 360 L + 360 L + 240 L $461 $413 $421
20 360 L + 360 L + 360 L $495 $444 $453
21 360 L + 360 L + 360 L $495 $444 $453

The City collects garbage weekly from a limited number of multi-unit residential buildings.

Weekly garbage pickup is not available to properties on biweekly service.

Dwelling units Minimum number of
carts and sizes billed		 2018 2017 2016
1 75 L $108 $96 $97
2 120 L $122 $109 $110
3 180 L $141 $126 $128
4 240 L $160 $144 $146
5 360 L $198 $179 $182
6 360 L $198 $179 $182
7 360 L $198 $179 $182
8 240 L + 180 L $301 $270 $274
9 240 L + 240 L $320 $288 $292
10 360 L + 180 L $339 $305 $310
11 360 L + 240 L $358 $323 $328
12 360 L + 240 L $358 $323 $328
13 360 L + 360 L $396 $358 $364
14 360 L + 360 L $396 $358 $364
15 360 L + 240 L + 180 L $499 $449 $456
16 360 L + 240 L + 240 L $518 $467 $474
17 360 L + 360 L + 180 L $537 $484 $492
18 360 L + 360 L + 180 L $537 $484 $492
19 360 L + 360 L + 240 L $556 $502 $510
20 360 L + 360 L + 360 L $594 $537 $546
21 360 L + 360 L + 360 L $594 $537 $546

Green bin collection annual rates

Bin size 2018 2017 2016
120 L $119 $111 $104
180 L $140 $130 $122
240 L $161 $150 $140
360 L $203 $189 $176

Note When flat-rated utility services change after the annual utility or Main property tax bill, we will recalculate the charges prior to the next annual billing.  This may result in a new bill being issued.

Street cleaning

Charge 2018 2017 2016
Per dwelling unit $19 $19 N/A

Learn more about flat rate utilities and water quality

Flat rate utilities on Property Tax notice

If you live in a single family home or a strata duplex, you are billed for utilities on your July Property Tax notice. Find an explanation of your Property Tax notice that shows where your utility charges are.

Water quality and pressure

Learn how the City and Metro Vancouver protect drinking water quality, and how we control water pressure.

Paying your utility bill

The City offers you four ways to pay your utility bill:

  • Online
  • By mail
  • City Hall's mail slot
  • In person

Learn more about the ways to pay your utility bill.

Learn more