Understanding Property Taxes in Burnaby, BC: 2026 Guide

If you own a home in Burnaby, your 2026 property tax bill is calculated by multiplying your BC Assessment value by the City's residential tax rate of 3.28373 per $1,000 of assessed value, then adding any utility and local service charges. For most homeowners, this year's notice also reflects a council-approved increase, a few new provincial grant rules, and a new interest structure for anyone deferring their taxes. As a Burnaby-based REALTOR®, I walk clients through this every spring, and I wanted to put the full picture in one place before notices start arriving next year's mailing cycle.

Key Takeaways

• Burnaby's 2026 residential property tax rate is 3.28373 per $1,000 of assessed value, and the average property's combined tax change for 2026 is about 4.8%, according to the City of Burnaby.
• Council approved a 2.9% general property tax increase for 2026 (about $61 for an average home) plus a separate 1.9% Growth Infrastructure Investment Levy (about $39), per the City's 2026–2030 Financial Plan.
• The BC Home Owner Grant gives eligible Burnaby homeowners up to $570 off their tax bill if their home is assessed at $2,075,000 or less in 2026.
• Eligible homeowners (55+, surviving spouses, persons with disabilities, or families with children) can apply to defer their current-year taxes through the Province, though deferrals for 2026 and later now accrue compound rather than simple interest.

How Property Taxes Are Calculated in Burnaby

Every property tax bill in Burnaby starts with your BC Assessment value as of July 1 of the prior year. The City applies its residential tax rate — 3.28373 per $1,000 of assessed value for 2026 — to that number to produce your gross municipal tax. On the City's own example, a home assessed at $1,268,706 works out to $4,166.09 in gross taxes before any Local Area Service Levy, sewer parcel tax, or Business Improvement Area charge is added, according to the City of Burnaby.

What actually changes your bill year over year isn't just the rate — it's how your assessment moved relative to the citywide average for your property class. If your home's assessed value increased by more than the average for houses or condos, your tax increase will run higher than the citywide number. If it increased by less, you may see a smaller increase, or even a decrease, even in a year when council raises the overall rate.

What's Changing for Burnaby Property Taxes in 2026

Burnaby City Council approved a 2.9% general property tax increase for 2026 as part of its 2026–2030 Financial Plan, working out to roughly $61 for an average home, according to the City of Burnaby. Council also approved a separate 1.9% Growth Infrastructure Investment Levy — about $39 for an average home — to help fund the City's share of future community amenities and infrastructure as Burnaby continues to grow.

Combined with how individual assessments shifted, the City reports that a property with an average change in assessed value will see roughly a 4.8% total increase on its 2026 notice. On the utility side, water rates are holding flat for 2026, while sewer rates are rising 3.5% — about $26 for a typical house and $14 for a condo — as Metro Vancouver's own wholesale costs for water and sewer service rise 6.4% and 7.6% respectively, with City reserves offsetting part of that increase for residents.

Burnaby's five-year plan also outlines $1.7 billion in capital investment through 2030, including $506.8 million for 2026 alone, funded from reserves rather than new borrowing. Projects moving forward include the Cameron Community Centre, Brentwood Community Centre, Burnaby Lake Recreation Centre, a new Community Safety Building, and the James Cowan Theatre, per the City's financial plan.

Key Dates: When Burnaby Tax Notices Arrive and Are Due

Burnaby mails property tax notices in early June, with payment due at the beginning of July, according to the City of Burnaby. If you're claiming the Home Owner Grant, you need to apply for it by the tax due date as well — missing that deadline can trigger a late payment penalty even if your tax amount itself has been paid. Burnaby's "Fees, charges and penalties" page carries the exact penalty dates and amounts for a given year, so it's worth a quick check closer to your notice date.

The BC Home Owner Grant: What Burnaby Homeowners Need to Know

The Home Owner Grant is a provincial program, applied for directly with the Province of British Columbia, that reduces the amount of property tax you owe on your principal residence. For 2026, the regular grant is $570 for properties in the Metro Vancouver and Capital Regional District area, and you qualify for the full amount if your home's assessed value is $2,075,000 or less, according to the Government of British Columbia.

Above that threshold, the grant phases out gradually rather than disappearing all at once: it's reduced by $5 for every $1,000 your assessment sits above $2,075,000. A home assessed at $2,125,000, for example, is $50,000 over the threshold, which trims the grant by $250. The regular grant reaches zero above $2,189,000 in assessed value, and the additional grant available to seniors and persons with disabilities phases out above $2,244,000.

One detail that catches people off guard: claiming the Home Owner Grant doesn't reduce your bill all the way to zero. The City requires a minimum tax payment on top of utility charges — $350 plus water and sewer if you receive the regular grant, or $100 plus utilities if your combined grants (regular plus the additional seniors or disability grant) apply, per the City of Burnaby.

Property Tax Deferment: An Option for Eligible Homeowners

If cash flow is tight but your home equity isn't, the Province's property tax deferment program lets eligible homeowners defer payment of their current-year property taxes on their principal residence. The regular program is open to homeowners who are 55 or older, surviving spouses, or persons with disabilities; a separate Families with Children program is available to parents and guardians who financially support a child under 18, according to the Government of British Columbia.

Once you're approved, the Ministry of Finance pays your property taxes directly, and a lien is registered against your property — something to plan around if you're considering a refinance or title change, since those should generally happen before you apply. A detail worth knowing before you apply: taxes deferred for 2025 and earlier accrue simple interest, but starting with the 2026 tax year, newly deferred amounts accrue compound interest instead, with interest starting from whichever is later — the tax due date or your application date.

How to Pay Your Burnaby Property Tax Bill

Most Burnaby homeowners manage their property tax account through My Property Portal (pts.burnaby.ca), which lets you view your balance, confirm your Home Owner Grant status, and opt into email notices instead of paper mail. The City's "How to Pay" page lists every available payment method, including online banking and pre-authorized payment plans, if you'd rather spread your annual bill into smaller installments throughout the year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Burnaby Property Taxes

Q: What is Burnaby's property tax rate for 2026?

The 2026 residential tax rate in Burnaby is 3.28373 per $1,000 of assessed value, and most properties with an average assessment change will see roughly a 4.8% total increase on their notice this year, according to the City of Burnaby.

Q: When are Burnaby property taxes due?

Notices go out in early June, with payment due at the beginning of July. You must also apply for your Home Owner Grant, if eligible, by that same due date to avoid a late penalty.

Q: Do I automatically get the Home Owner Grant in Burnaby?

No — you need to apply for it each year through the Province of British Columbia, even if you've received it before. For 2026, homes assessed at $2,075,000 or less qualify for the full $570 regular grant.

Q: Can I defer my property taxes if I'm over 55 in Burnaby?

Yes. Homeowners 55 or older, surviving spouses, and persons with disabilities can apply to the Province's regular property tax deferment program, which pays your current-year taxes on your behalf with a lien registered against the property. Just note that deferrals from 2026 onward accrue compound interest rather than simple interest.

Q: How much will my Burnaby property tax actually go up in 2026?

Council approved a 2.9% general increase plus a 1.9% Growth Infrastructure Investment Levy, and the City estimates the combined effect at about 4.8% for a property whose assessment moved in line with the citywide average. Your own number depends on how your specific assessment changed relative to that average.

Thinking About Buying or Selling in Burnaby?

Property taxes are one more piece of the ownership math that factors into every purchase decision, especially when you're comparing a condo in Metrotown to a house near Edmonds or Brentwood. If you'd like a clearer picture of what a specific Burnaby property's tax bill might look like, or how municipal costs stack up against other cities in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, I'm happy to walk through it with you. I'm Stephanie Wong PREC with Luxmore Realty, and I help buyers and sellers across Burnaby and the surrounding region make confident, well-informed decisions. Schedule a free consultation or call me directly at (778) 960-8269 to get started.