City Amends Bylaw to Recover Cost of New Land Title Search Fees

New fees impact the City's cost of doing business

Summary

Starting May 1, 2014, a new fee structure will be implemented for land title searches through the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) – the organization that administers the Land Title Office. The new fee structure will impact the City's cost of doing business in comparison with the current fee structure.

Applicants will have the option of obtaining the documents on their own from the LTSA or having the City provide the service for the same fee. The cost of running a property title will increase from $1.50 to $9.05. Reviewing Rights-of-Way documents and covenants, which currently are free, will now cost $14.10 per request. It is estimated that the additional cost to a standard Building Permit could be between $9.05 and $32.20.

City Staff have prepared an amendment bylaw to provide for cost recovery measures for the fees associated with individual development applications. If adopted by Council the bylaw will become effective on May 1, 2014.

Link to Strategic Plan: The new bylaw will help the City work towards its goal of efficient, effective, affordable delivery and facilitation of municipal services.

Key Points

  • The LTSA administers and maintains all Land Title information for the Province of BC.
  • Formerly, fees the City incurred for Land Title searches were either nonexistent or nominal.
  • Due to the new LTSA fee structure, the cost incurred by the City will be passed on to the applicant.

Quotes

"Where applicable, the City will have to charge additional fees to applicants of development projects. In some circumstances, the City will absorb the added cost."

Manager, Development Support Services & Business Licensing
City of Nanaimo

Quick Facts

  • Community Development and Finance Department Staff rely on land title information for confirming property ownership and land use.
  • Legislation will allow City Staff to continue to have access to land title records at no charge for assessment or taxation purposes.
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Contact:

Nelda Richardson
Manager, Dev Support Services & Business Licensing
City of Nanaimo
250-755-4448

Print News Release

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