Putting Sooke’s Property Taxes Into Perspective

Over the past decade, the average annual increase in total residential property taxes for the average home in Sooke has been approximately:

4.4% per year (10-year average)

Year-over-year changes have varied:

• 2025: 10.09%
• 2024: 6.87%
• 2023: 4.95%
• 2022: 7.60%
• 2021: 2.68%
• 2020: 2.34%
• 2019: 5.20%
• 2018: 3.58%
• 2017: 1.34%
• 2016: -0.44%

While recent years have been higher than the 10-year average, tax changes over time have fluctuated based on service levels, infrastructure needs, population growth, and external cost pressures.

Percentage increases are often used as headlines. However, the revenue generated by a 1% tax increase depends on the size of a municipality’s tax base.

In Sooke:

• A 1% municipal tax increase generates approximately $144,000 in revenue.

In a larger municipality:

• A 1% municipal tax increase commonly generates approximately $500,000+.

While the percentage may be the same, the amount of revenue generated is significantly different.

At the same time, many municipal service costs — such as road repairs, infrastructure maintenance, emergency services, and staffing — are not proportionally lower in smaller communities. Filling a pothole, replacing a fire truck, or maintaining infrastructure costs similar amounts regardless of municipal size.

This means smaller municipalities must sometimes apply a higher percentage increase to generate the same dollar amount needed to fund services.

Recent increases reflect structural changes in Sooke’s cost environment, including:

• Continued population growth
• Expanded service levels (including 24/7 policing and fire services)
• Additional infrastructure to maintain, including roads, parks, and trails
• A change in policing cost-sharing after exceeding 15,000 residents
• New provincial responsibility for E-Comm emergency communications services

These changes represent ongoing service and cost obligations rather than short-term adjustments.

Over the past decade, Sooke has grown significantly.

With growth comes increased demand for:

• Protective services
• Transportation infrastructure
• Parks, trails, and outdoor recreation
• Asset maintenance and replacement

As the community grows, service levels and infrastructure responsibilities expand accordingly.

Policing costs are set under senior government policy:

• Municipalities under 15,000 population pay 70% of RCMP costs
• Municipalities over 15,000 population pay 90%

Following the most recent Census, Sooke transitioned to the 90% model. This represents a structural increase in municipal policing costs.

As of last year, municipalities became responsible for funding E-Comm emergency communications dispatch services.

This is a new municipal expense that did not previously exist in the District’s budget.

Comparing Sooke with 22 BC municipalities with populations between approximately 10,000 and 20,000, Sooke ranks:

• 2nd lowest in general municipal taxes on the average home
• Lowest in municipal taxes per capita
• Among the lowest in total municipal taxes collected (including library taxation)

Municipalities provide different service levels and infrastructure inventories, which influence taxation levels. Overall, Sooke remains positioned as a comparatively low-tax municipality within this peer group.

Date source: Municipal tax rates and tax burden - Province of British Columbia

Recent increases reflect structural cost changes, including expanded service levels, growth-related infrastructure needs, higher policing cost-sharing after exceeding 15,000 residents, and new E-Comm dispatch costs.

The 4.4% figure represents the average annual increase in total residential property taxes for the average home between 2016 and 2025. Individual properties may vary depending on assessment changes.

Not necessarily. Tax rates are set through the municipal budgeting process. However, when property assessments increase significantly, this can affect the dollar amount paid by individual properties.

Less than 50% of a residential property tax bill is allocated to District of Sooke municipal services.

The remainder of the tax bill is collected by the District on behalf of other taxing authorities, including:

• School taxes (Province of BC)
• Regional district services
• BC Assessment
• Municipal Finance Authority
• Other provincial levies

While the District collects the full amount shown on a property tax notice, it only sets and retains the municipal portion.

As population increases, demand for municipal services and infrastructure also grows. This includes policing, fire protection, roads, parks, planning, and asset maintenance.

In Sooke’s case, population growth has also triggered a structural change in policing costs. After exceeding 15,000 residents, the District transitioned from paying 70% of RCMP policing costs to 90%.

It is important to note that residential growth does not typically pay for itself through property taxes alone. New neighbourhoods require ongoing service delivery and long-term infrastructure maintenance.

Sooke’s current tax base is composed of approximately:

• 84% residential
• 14% commercial
• 1% industrial

A higher proportion of commercial and industrial assessment can help broaden the tax base and generate additional revenue without placing the full burden on residential properties. Expanding the commercial and employment base presents long-term opportunities to strengthen the District’s financial capacity.