The North Cowichan Municipal Hall is open in a limited capacity to receive 2020 property tax payments, as well as dog and business license payments.
To protect staff and members of the public, there have been a few changes at the Municipal Hall. Plexi-glass guards have been installed at the front counter, along with increased hand-sanitizer stations. To comply with physical distancing requirements, the number of persons allowed in the building at one time will be carefully regulated.
Eligible residents must claim their Home Owner Grant each year. Claims can be done online by going to www.northcowichan.ca/taxes.
Forms can be downloaded and filled out, or residents can complete and sign the application at the bottom of their tax notice and deposit the completed form in the drop box at the Municipal Hall.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the municipal property tax payment deadline has been extended to September 30, 2020. Although residents may physically come into the Municipal Hall to make a payment, people are being encouraged to use one of the many safe, contactless, and alternative methods.
These include phone banking, online banking, mailing a cheque, or placing payment in the drop box located at the front entrance to the Municipal Hall. In-person payments can be made with debit or cash and credit cards are not accepted. If payment is mailed, the cheque can be post-dated for September 30, but to avoid late penalties should be postmarked on or before September 24.
“Staff have been working to reopen the Municipal Hall in a way that is safe and within the confines of the guidelines set out by the Provincial Health Officer and senior levels of government,” said Mayor Al Siebring. “Keeping our community and staff safe has always been a top priority, so I am pleased to see our doors safely open to the public again. It has been a challenge to adjust our service levels and pivot how some of our services are delivered. But the flexible and nimble approach taken has allowed us to continue doing business and serving the public – even if that looks a little different.”
While the Municipal Hall is now open to receive payments in-person, call 250-746-3100 or visit www.northcowichan.ca/COVID19 for information on how to access other services during this time.