Exemption from Additional User Rates Charges Declaration

Owners of residential properties with an additional dwelling unit may apply for an annual exemption from the additional user rates charges for one of the following reasons:

Additional dwelling unit is not being rented*;
Additional dwelling unit is occupied by an immediate family member*; or
Additional dwelling unit is not used as a separate residential unit*;
Additional dwelling unit is decommissioned (removed with a Building Permit).

To maintain, confirm, or decline this exemption, you must submit a completed application form to our office no later than November 14, 2025. This applies whether you are applying for the exemption or confirming that your property no longer qualifies. If we do not receive your application by the deadline, the City will assume the property is not eligible and changes to your user rates account and cart set will be processed automatically, effective January 1, 2026.

Annual Application for Exemption from Additional User Rates Charges

Please read the information below in detail and complete all the sections including initialing the acknowledgement and signing the last page of this form.

OWNER INFORMATION

Name(s):

Mailing Address:

Postal Code:

Email:

Phone:

PROPERTY INFORMATION

Property Address:

Is this your principal residence?

DEFINITIONS

Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU):	Means a habitable room consisting of a self-contained unit with a separate entrance for the residential accommodation of only one family and contains a cooking facility but excludes all accommodation for the travelling public.
Exemption:	Relief from additional user rates charges
Immediate Family Member:	Means a spouse, child, sibling, stepsibling, half-sibling, parent, or stepparent.
Principal Residence:	Means the usual place where an individual makes their home.

USER RATES BILLING CHANGES

Water, Sewer and Garbage charges are billed based on the number of dwelling units at the property.

Water Consumption:

Consumption rates are tiered into 4 steps. For example: Single-Family Dwelling is billed for 0 - 110 gallons of water per day in Tier 1, while a Single-Family Dwelling with a Secondary Suite (no exemption) is billed for 0 - 220 gallons of water per day in Tier 1.

Sewer:

For example: a Single-Family Dwelling is billed for one unit of sewer per day, while a Single-Family Dwelling with a Secondary Suite (no exemption) is billed for two units of sewer per day.

Garbage:

For example: a Single-Family Dwelling is billed for one unit of garbage per day, while a Single-Family Dwelling with a Secondary Suite (no exemption) is billed for two units of garbage per day. An upsized garbage cart may be available for an additional daily fee. Note: Green (organics) cart cannot be upsized.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I/we have read and understood the information above and I/we understand the changes that might affect how my property is billed for water, sewer and garbage.

Exemption Status

Please select one of the following options that reflect the use of the Additional Dwelling Unit.

Not Applying for the Exemption

Select a choice

Applying for the Exemption

Select a choice

Please provide additional details regarding the removal of the unit:

Please identify the immediate family member:

*If an annual declaration is required, you will receive a letter from the City prompting you to apply for the exemption (if eligible). Annual exemptions are effective January 1st of the following year assuming they were received by the due date. If you do not receive correspondence from the City by early November, please contact us.

Would you like to provide any additional comments?

CART SELECTION

If a property is approved for an exemption, the cart set may be subject to changes. For example: single-Family Dwelling with a Secondary Suite (with exemption) qualifies for the following standard cart set:

	120L Garbage (can be upsized to 240L at an additional daily charge)
	120L Organics (cannot upsize)
	240L Recycling (can upsize to 360L at no additional daily charge)

Note: Cart(s) will not be exchanged if you are renewing the exemption.

Please select one of the options below for the garbage cart:

Please select one of the options below for the recycling cart:

OWNER ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I/we certify that the above-noted property: a) contains an additional dwelling unit such as a Secondary Suite or Carriage House, b) the additional dwelling unit has been decommissioned (removed), or c) there has never been an additional dwelling unit at this property as long as I/we have owned it.

I/we understand that my User Rates account will be invoiced according to the information submitted on this form and in accordance with the user rates Bylaws. Additionally, the carts at the property will be automatically exchanged for the standard set of carts based on my property type and the exemption status, if applicable. If the carts are not accessible at the time of the exchange, the City will access my/our property to complete the exchange.

If I/we no longer qualify for the exemption, I/we have thirty (30) days to notify the City at which time additional user rates charges will be added to my/our User Rates account. Failure to notify the City may result in retroactive changes to my/our User Rates billing.

I/we have read and agree to the above terms and conditions

I/we certify

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY AND YOUR PRESENTATION

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.
Regular Council and Committee meetings that are open to the public are webcast using live-streaming video technology and may be recorded for video-on-demand access for subsequent viewing. By speaking at these meetings, you are consenting to disclosure of any personal information made evident through your speech or presentation materials, and acknowledging that this information may be disclosed and/or accessed outside of Canada. Personal information may include your image, name, address, and personal opinions. You are also asserting that your presentation is in compliance with the Federal Copyright Act, and grant the City of Nanaimo license to publish these materials. Individuals presenting to Council or Committees are requested to not disclose third-party information or it may be redacted.

For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca.

OFFICE USE

Declaration Status:

Decomissioned

Vacant

Family

One Unit

Not Eligible

STR

UB Initial & Date:

Supervisor Initial & Date:

Application status:

Approved

Denied

Additional Notes:

Last updated: August 13, 2025

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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PRIVACY AND YOUR PRESENTATION

Information collected on this form is done so under the general authority of the Community Charter and Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act (FOIPPA), and is protected in accordance with FOIPPA. Personal information will only be used by authorized staff to fulfill the purpose for which it was originally collected, or for a use consistent with that purpose.
Regular Council and Committee meetings that are open to the public are webcast using live-streaming video technology and may be recorded for video-on-demand access for subsequent viewing. By speaking at these meetings, you are consenting to disclosure of any personal information made evident through your speech or presentation materials, and acknowledging that this information may be disclosed and/or accessed outside of Canada. Personal information may include your image, name, address, and personal opinions. You are also asserting that your presentation is in compliance with the Federal Copyright Act, and grant the City of Nanaimo license to publish these materials. Individuals presenting to Council or Committees are requested to not disclose third-party information or it may be redacted.

For further information regarding the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, please contact the Legislative Services Office at 250-755-4405 or at foi@nanaimo.ca.

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