Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For information about separate property tax bill and other property tax–related questions, please read the Property Taxes FAQ.
Utility and Property Tax Statement Separation
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What is covered on the utility statement? |
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Annual water fees, annual sanitary sewer fees, residential garbage fees, secondary suite water fees and secondary suite sanitary sewer fees (if applicable to your property) are covered on the statement. You will only be billed for the utility services you receive. |
| Why were utility user fees separated from the property tax statement? |
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Splitting the statements allows for more clarity with billing as the Township of Langley continues to grow, more flexibility for property owners with budgeting payments, and is consistent with the model used by many other municipalities in the Metro Vancouver region. This change also allowed the Township to introduce a Voluntary Water Metering Program, to encourage water conservation and to provide residents an equitable way to pay for the water they use. |
| Am I being charged more due to the billing separation? |
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No, property owners are not paying more as a result of the billing separation. Township property owners on flat rate utilities pay the same annual fees. The amount being charged on the utility statement is the same as what the utility fees would have been on the property tax statement. |
| How will the billing separation affect my property taxes? |
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Your property tax statement will no longer include utility fees. Many residential properties should see a decrease on their property tax statement compared to last year, as a result of the utility fees being separated. Some residential properties may see their taxes increase or stay about the same, subject to any change in the assessed value of their property, along with the modest annual tax rate adjustment approved by Township Council. It is also important to note that a portion of property taxes is collected on behalf of other taxing authorities, over which the Township has no control. Visit Property Taxes to learn more. Any increase to your property taxes or utility fees is not a result of the billing separation. |
| Can I pay my property tax and utility fee statements on the same account? |
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No, the property tax account and utility account are separate. Property tax: The 10-digit folio/roll number is the account number used to identify your property, and can be found on the front page of your property tax statement. Find more information about property tax payment methods. Utility fees: The Utility Account number can be found on the front page of your utility statement. Flat rate utility accounts are 6 digits. Metered utility accounts are 5 digits. If paying online, a new payee must be added (search for “Langley” and select "Langley Township – Utilities”). Find more information about utility fee payment methods. |
| What happens if I pre-pay my property taxes through online banking? |
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Credits from the property tax account will be transferred to pay the utility balance first. If there is not enough credit from the property tax account to pay the utility balance, when you receive your utility statement you will need to set up a new bill payee (“Langley Township – Utilities”). Instructions will be on the statement. |
| What happens if my mortgage company is collecting my payments for property taxes? |
| If your mortgage company is collecting payments on your behalf for property taxes, note that the utility statement will not be paid by the mortgage company. Please contact your mortgage company to find out how to access the utility portion of your payments to allocate towards your utility statement. The utility statement must be paid by the due date to avoid the penalty. |
| What happens if I am on a Pre-Authorized Debit Plan (PAD) for property taxes? |
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If you are currently enrolled in the Pre-Authorized Debit Plan (PAD) for property taxes, utility charges are already included in those pre-payments for the year, and those payments will be transferred from your tax account to your utility account. If an outstanding balance is shown on your utility statement, it must be paid by the due date to avoid the penalty. Both the property tax and utility portions will continue to be included in PAD pre-payment amounts. In other words, when you receive your current year property tax statement, the new pre-payment amount will still include the utility portion. If there is a balance due on your property tax statement, that balance needs to be paid by the due date to avoid the penalty. |
Utility fees and services
| What are the rates? |
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Visit Utility Rates to learn more about annual flat rates and metered utility rates and how they are calculated. |
| How are rates calculated? |
| Annual water, sanitary sewer and garbage collection rates are a combination of Metro Vancouver service fees and Township costs for providing current service levels and maintaining existing infrastructure. See Utility Rates for more information. |
| Why have utility rates increased? |
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Utility rates are set annually and reflect the fees needed to cover the cost of delivering and maintaining utility services including water, sanitary sewer and garbage collection. |
| How will I be billed if I don’t receive all utility services? |
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You will only be billed for the utility services you receive. If you are on a well, you will not see a water charge. If you are on septic, you will not see a sanitary sewer charge. If you do not receive garbage collection, those charges will not be on your utility statement. |
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Are there separate utility rates based on residential dwelling type? |
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Yes, starting in 2026, Council set two separate flat rates for water and sewer, depending on the type of home. Condos and townhouses (residential multi-family) will pay one rate, while single-family homes will pay a different rate. See Utility Rates for more information.
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| Is there an option to be on metered utilities? |
| Visit Voluntary Water Metering Program for more information. |
| Do I have to pay my flat rate utility statement if I have applied for a water meter? |
| Visit Voluntary Water Metering Program for more information. |
| What does the water and/or sewer infrastructure fee cover? |
| The infrastructure fee covers costs for the Township of Langley to maintain and operate the Municipal Water or Sanitary Sewer system. These costs are required to ensure a safe and reliable system, regardless of the use of the system. |
| Why is garbage collection split into two charges (base rate and cart charge)? |
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Charges for municipal waste collection services have consisted of a "base rate" and "cart charge" for nearly a decade. These items were previously combined into a single line item and billed on the annual property tax statement. The shift to separate utility billing allows the Township to provide greater transparency to residents about what they are being charged for collection. Garbage Base Rate: The base rate is charged to properties to help cover the fixed costs of providing municipal collection. This includes contract costs incurred for collecting the material, our Large Item Pick Up program, organics tipping fees, and cart repairs or replacements. Garbage Cart Charge (120 L or 240 L): All homes receiving collection also have a minimum of one (1) garbage cart charge applied. The charge applied corresponds to the size of garbage cart a property has (120L or 240L) and covers disposal costs associated with the waste inside. Properties who have multiple garbage carts may see multiple cart charges applied. Properties who reduce their waste through participation in composting and recycling programs may be able to downsize their garbage cart and pay the lower annual fee. To complete a size exchange or remove an additional container, submit a cart request. |
| Is recycling collection included in my utility statement? |
| The Township of Langley's recycling program is primarily funded by incentives that the Township receives from Recycle BC, the provincial steward for residential packaging and printed paper. Recycle BC is funded by packaging and paper producers who are required by the Province to ensure their items are recycled at the end of life. General property tax revenue funds any costs not covered by the Recycle BC incentive for this service. |
Billing and payment information
| When is the utility statement due? |
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| What happens if I don’t pay my utility statement on time? |
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A penalty of 10% will be applied to all unpaid balances after the due date. Returned payments constitute a non-payment of utilities and will result in a penalty and a service charge. If your Utility account remains unpaid as of December 31, any balance owing will be transferred to your property tax account as arrears and become subject to daily interest charges. |
| When will I receive my utility statement? |
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2026 utility statements will be mailed by late February/early March. Owners are responsible for ensuring payments are received by the Township of Langley by the due date to avoid a late payment penalty. If you do not receive your statement, contact the Revenue and Tax Collections Department at tax@tol.ca or 604-533-6005. All due dates and late payment penalties still apply. |
| What billing period is covered on the utility statement? |
| The flat rate billing period is from January 1 to December 31 of the current year. |
| Do you accept credit cards for utility payments? |
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Yes, credit card payments are accepted, with a 2.2% non-refundable credit card processing fee. Pay by credit card. See other payment options that do not include the 2.2% fee. |
| Do I need to set up a new bank payee? |
| Yes, if you are paying your utility statement through your online financial institution, you will need to add a new payee. Search for ‘Langley Township - Utilities.’ Note: Payee name may vary by institution. Use your account number and access code on the front of your statement. |
| Can I sign up for a Pre-Authorized Debit Plan just for utilities? |
| No, a pre-authorized debit plan for utilities is not available at this time. However, you can make pre-payments directly to the utility account by setting up a new payee through your online financial institution. |
General information
| Can I view my utility statement and account online? |
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Yes, eBilling for utility statements is available through MyTownship. You can view your utility account through this secure online service.
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| Is my utility account number different from my property tax account number? |
| Yes, you can find your utility account number on the front side of your utility statement. |
| How do I change my address? |
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It's important to keep your address current for property assessment and taxation purposes and flat utility accounts. If the mailing address on your utility statement is incorrect, please complete and submit the Change of Address form (Area 15, Jurisdiction 311) directly to BC Assessment. Note: It may take a couple of weeks for the Township to receive your updated information from BC Assessment. |
| What happens if I am selling my property? |
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Property owners are responsible for ensuring all utility accounts and property tax accounts are up to date to avoid penalties and interest charges. Discuss with your legal representative (i.e. lawyer, notary) at the time of sale. |
| What happens if I am deferring my property taxes? |
| Any utility charges of water, sewer and garbage (if applicable) need to be paid in order to defer your property taxes. Utility charges are not eligible for deferment. Learn more. |
| Can I claim my Home Owner Grant? |
| The Home Owner Grant is claimed when you receive your property tax statement in May, and reduces your property tax balance. Learn more. |