June 2022
Community Update
News and Information from the District of Lantzville  
Municipal Hall Hours
Monday to Friday
By phone or email: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
In-person payment and document drop off: 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (effective June 1st)
Call or email for appointments or other services
Closed Friday July 1st for Canada Day

After-hours Public Works emergency call 1.888.826.8271
All other emergencies dial 911
Upcoming Meetings
Wednesday, June 8th - 6:00 pm Electronic Regular Council (including Public Hearing)
Wednesday, June 22nd - 6:00 pm Regular Council

Council members may attend in person, or electronically (except for the Mayor) for a Hybrid Meeting, or via Zoom Webinar for an Electronic Meeting (per the Community Charter and the Council Procedure Bylaw). The Council Procedure Bylaw defines an Electronic Meeting as a meeting where all attendees participate electronically. Participation will be managed electronically via Zoom, operated from the Council Chambers. Public Hearings are held electronically (per the Local Government Act) to provide greater access, transparency and convenience. Zoom also offers the option to dial in by phone. For Electronic Meetings (e.g. meetings with Public Hearings), in accordance with the Community Charter, the Council Chamber is open (with limited seating) for those unable to participate electronically to attend and a designated municipal officer must be in attendance. For in person and Hybrid meetings the Council Chamber is also open for the public to attend. Due to limited seating, the public is encouraged to view the open portion of the meeting via the livestream (advance registration is not required), and to provide verbal public input on agenda items by registering in advance using the Zoom Webinar link provided for each Council meeting event at lantzville.ca OR written comments by noon the day of the meeting. Prior to attending at Municipal Hall, please self-assess to ensure you are healthy and do not attend if you are ill. Members of the public must remain seated unless invited to address Council. Meetings recorded by the District of Lantzville may be viewed at lantzville.ca. The public is prohibited from recording Council meetings unless authorized by Council.

For meeting information, including meeting livestreaming and electronic participation, visit lantzville.ca and click on the meeting date on the calendar to access the meeting agenda package, minutes and video recordings. The start time of the open portion/livestreaming of the meeting may vary if a closed portion is required at the beginning of the regular Council meeting. Please refer to the Council meeting agenda, published the week before the meeting, to confirm the open portion/livestream start time.
Property Tax Information
2022 PROPERTY TAX NOTICES  – Have been mailed! Contact Municipal Hall at 250.933.8086 if you have not received your property tax bill by June 6th. Property tax payments and your completed Home Owner Grant (claimed through the Province of BC, if applicable), are due July 4th. A 2% penalty will be applied on outstanding amounts on July 5th and a further 8% penalty will be applied on any outstanding balance at the end of day on September 30th. The municipality has no authority to waive or modify these penalty amounts, which are required by law.

PAYMENTS – The Municipal Hall will be open Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays, to receive property tax and utility payments in person from 8:30 am – 4:00 pm (effective June 1st). Property tax payments can also be made through online banking, mail or put in the drop box at Municipal Hall, to the right of the front door. Please do not put cash in the mail or drop box.

DEFERRALS – Have you considered deferring your home property taxes? Tax deferment is a low interest loan program managed by the province that helps qualified BC homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence. You may qualify for the Regular Program if you’re 55 or older, a surviving spouse of any age, or a person with disabilities OR for the Families with Children Program if you’re a parent, stepparent or financially supporting a child. Deferment applications are processed by the province (not at Municipal Hall). Learn more about the property tax deferment program, including eligibility, by visiting the website or a Service BC Centre, or by calling 1.888.355.2700 (toll free). Note: To defer, you will still need to claim your annual Home Owner Grant with the Province of BC first.
Home Owner Grant in 2022
  • Municipalities are NO longer permitted to accept homeowner grant applications. Program eligibility is unchanged.
  • You apply for your annual Home Owner Grant online at www.gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant after you receive your tax notice from the District of Lantzville, at a Service BC Centre, or by phone 1.888.355.2700
  • In order to avoid penalties and interest, apply before the July 4th property tax due date
Recreation Opportunities
The District of Lantzville partners with the City of Nanaimo, Regional District of Nanaimo, and Seaside Community Society to provide recreation opportunities for the residents of Lantzville.

City of Nanaimo – reports summer program registration is now open. The online guide can be viewed here.

  • Concerts in the Park: are underway and on June 1st from 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm “Bandeira Parker” will be playing at Harewood Centennial Park and on June 14th from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm “Ken & Greg” will be playing at Diver Lake Park. This season, bring a lawn chair and a picnic while enjoying some great musical entertainment in some of Nanaimo’s most beautiful parks.
  • GoByBike: There will be Celebration Stations, a Kickoff event, a Nanaimo (Handle) Bar Ride & much more during Spring GoByBike week from May 30th – June 5th. Residents are encouraged to register and learn more about the sponsors, events and prizes! You can also visit @cityofnanaimo Instagram to enter a giveaway. Many amazing sponsors and volunteers have come together to make this event larger than ever and we would like to thank them all!
  • Community water parks opened May 21st on the long weekend. We just need the sun to arrive! 
  • Four water parks will be open 7 days a week from 9:00 am – 9:00 pm:
  • Deverill Square Park
  • Departure Bay Kiwanis Park 
  • Harewood Centennial Park
  • Mansfield Park
  • Nanaimo Night Owls Baseball Team is officially calling Serauxmen Stadium home where they will play their first home game on June 3rd. For tickets, game schedule, and more information go to nanaimonightowls.com.
Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) – reports registration for spring and summer programs is ongoing.
  • RDN Camps: Build friendships, skills and memories that last a lifetime.
  • Games in the Park Free drop-in events:
  • Saturday June 4th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Maple Lane Community Park
  • Saturday June 18th 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at Foster Park
  • Ravensong Aquatic Centre: Sunday swim times added starting July 3rd. View the swim schedule on line www.rdn.bc.ca/swim-and-skate-schedule
  • Learning to swim is an important life skill: Summer swim lesson registration begins Monday June 20th at 8:00 am. For backyard pool safety tips and more, go to REC Connect 
Lantzville Community Facilities - What’s happening at Costin Hall?
The Seaside Community Society reports that the following activities are held regularly at Costin Hall:
  • Line dancing
  • Chair yoga
  • Short-mat bowling
  • Two Probus meetings
  • Tidesmen Chorus
  • Brownies
  • Zumba
  • Square dancing.

The Society sponsors drop-in activities with a drop-in fee for each activity that allows the Society to operate and maintain the building. If you’d like to check something out, feel free to come by and participate. Non-members can participate in an activity twice for the drop-in fee only. If you decide you would like to continue to participate, you can then become a Seaside Community Society member for a $15 fee. For information about specific activities, email costinhallrental@shaw.ca.
Mid-Island Rose Society &
 Lantzville Pioneer Roses
Join the Mid-Island Rose Society at Huddlestone Park Saturday, June 18th, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm for an “Open Garden and Information Day” including a guided tour and presentation regarding the history of the collection of old garden roses brought to Lantzville by the miners, farmers and other pioneers.
In 2019, Council co-sponsored the Mid-Island Rose Society’s identification project to provide signs, tags and a brochure for the Huddlestone Park pioneer rose collection. Thank you to the Society for their ongoing care of this significant collection of old garden roses, a fragrant piece of our history.
Bylaw Reminders
Effective April 16th Burning Ban in Effect Until October 14th

Category 2 OPEN FIRES (burn barrels, backyard burning, incinerators, burn piles, burning grass, fireworks, binary exploding targets, sky lanterns, outdoor burning, etc.) are NOT permitted on private and public property in the District of Lantzville. Watch for notices issued by the provincial government restricting open burning.

NO OPEN FIRES ARE PERMITTED ON ANY BEACH AT ANY TIME OF THE YEAR; only portable propane campfire apparatus (CSA or ULC approved) are permitted on the beach between the hours of 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Small campfires used for cooking, heating or ceremonial purposes are allowed (except on beaches) subject to conditions:
  • Must be contained in a device or fixture
  • Campfire must be away from combustible materials and campfire must not exceed 0.61 m in size
  • Only propane, natural gas, charcoal or clean organic wood can be used; no branches, yard waste or construction materials
  • Responsible person must be in attendance at the campfire at all times, with a hand tool or at least eight litres of water available to properly extinguish the fire
  • Ensure campfire is completely extinguished and ashes are cold to the touch before leaving the area
  • Be considerate of neighbours when planning a campfire.

Watch for notices banning campfires due to drying conditions. For more information, visit lantzville.ca to view Fire Protection Services Bylaw No. 185, 2019 and the Outdoor Burning Brochure, or contact the Fire Chief at nrukus@lantzville.ca.
Stage 2 Watering Restrictions – Effective May 1st  
Under Stage 2 watering restrictions, sprinkling is permitted between the hours of 7:00 am and 10:00 am OR 7:00 pm and 10:00 pm for a maximum of 2 hours every other day on the following days:
  • Odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days
  • Even-numbered addresses on even-numbered days.

Sprinkling includes watering lawns, ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees and use of pop-up spray, rotors and sprinklers. Putting in a new lawn? Apply for a new lawn watering permit by emailing district@lantzville.ca.

The following are permitted at any time in Stage 2:
  • Hand-watering (trees, shrubs, vegetables)
  • Drip irrigation
  • Micro irrigation (check regularly for leaks)
  • Washing vehicles, boats, and houses (siding) if using a hose with a shutoff device
  • Filling fountains, pools, or hot tubs
  • Pressure washing walkways, driveways and siding.

Vegetable gardens and fruit trees are exempt from all watering restrictions but watering in the early morning or in the evening is recommended due to less evaporation. Private wells are not subject to municipal watering restrictions, but conservation is encouraged because water is a shared resource.

Tap into Water Conservation
A healthy lawn only needs one inch of water per week!
Planting a New Garden or Landscaping?
Conserve water in your new garden with ‘xeriscaping’ – specifically designed for minimal watering! Xeriscaping saves you some work and reduces water demands during the summer. This style of garden features native plants and shrubbery, cacti, succulents, ornamental grasses, and drought-tolerant turf grasses. Other things to consider when planting a new garden or landscaping:
  • Confirm your property line to ensure your works are not encroaching on your neighbours’ land or a right of way
  • Reduce wildfire risk within wildland/urban interface – reduce fuel (e.g. brush)
  • Confirm if your property is in a Development Permit Area for steep slope or sensitive ecosystem protection. Contact the Director of Planning & Community Services at 250.933.8083.


Visit FireSmartbc.ca to check out the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide.
Traffic and Parking Regulations Bylaw No. 28 Prohibitions
Did you know? Bylaw No. 28 prohibits the following on streets (includes the road right of way):
  • Parking an unlicensed vehicle
  • Parking a trailer when not attached to a motor vehicle
  • Leaving an excavation or obstruction without sufficient fencing, barricading or warning lights
  • Operating a tracked vehicle without authorization
  • Placing fuel, lumber, merchandise, etc.
  • Placing leaflets on the windshield of parked motor vehicles
  • Parking a vehicle or trailer to display it for sale, for advertising, to display signs or selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, seafood or other products
  • Parking a trailer or motorhome for accommodation purposes.
Support Our Students - Vote by June 13th!
Seaview Elementary has been chosen as one of the 15 finalists for the David Suzuki Future Ground prize for youth-led initiatives. Seaview Elementary is being recognized for their positive impact on the environment. Recognize the students’ hard work! Help them win $2,500 to introduce their project to the world! Visit www.davidsuzuki.org/future-ground-prize to vote for your favourite youth-led initiative, Rising Star - Seaview Takes a Stand, before the June 13th deadline.
Municipal Election 101
New to Lantzville? Voters listed on the Elections BC Voters List as Lantzville residents do not need to re-register. Visit elections.bc.ca to check or update your registration, or to register as a new voter in BC. You are eligible to vote in the District of Lantzville election if, on Voting Day, you are:
  • A Canadian citizen
  • Age 18 or older
  • A resident of BC for at least the past six months
  • A non-resident owner (a person - not a corporation, and the one owner designated by the other owners to vote, if more than one owner) of property in the District of Lantzville for at least the past 30 days, OR a resident of the District of Lantzville; AND
  • Not disqualified by law from voting.

2022 General Local Election Voting Days are at Costin Hall: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Wednesday, October 5th & 12th & Saturday, October 15th or register to Vote by Mail, to elect your five-member Council for a four-year term that starts at the Inaugural Council meeting scheduled for 6:00 pm, Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at Costin Hall.

Visit elections.bc.ca for information about local election candidate campaign financing, disclosure and election advertising rules administered by Elections BC under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. For information about legislation governing municipal elections, and guidance and resources for candidates, visit www.gov.bc.ca/localelections. Questions about voting in the general local election or running for office in Lantzville? Watch for articles in the Community Update newsletter and visit lantzville.ca for regular updates, or contact the CEO at vote@lantzville.ca or 250.933.8082.
Cut the Broom when it is Blooming!
The Broombusters Invasive Plant Society has been hard at work in our community during the month of May. With the cool, wet spring the broom is slow to bloom this year. As a result, Broombusters will be cutting into the first couple of weeks of June. If you have an hour or two, they can loan you some loppers for you to cut on your own or join them for some weekly community cuts. Help protect our environment from this invasive, alien plant and enjoy some time with fellow residents. Watch for signs in your neighbourhood with dates and times. Contact Sharon at sahokas@shaw.ca for further details, to borrow loppers, or add your name to the email list. For more info, check out www.broombusters.org (including a ‘How to Cut Broom’ video). Cuts are held rain or shine – loppers are provided!
Be Animal Aware
Be animal aware and store your garbage and food waste carts in a secure, locked area with the lids securely closed. Don’t put your carts at the curb until the morning of your collection day. Use a spray bottle filled with a bleach solution to deodorize the lid and exterior of your food waste cart to prevent food odours from attracting bears and other wildlife. If you see a bear in a residential area, stay calm and back away slowly to the safety of a secure building or car. Bears are usually just passing through the area and if no food is available, they will move on. Keep away from the bear, warn others, and bring children and pets into the house. To report a bear sighting where public safety is at risk, call a Conservation Officer at 1.877.952.7277.
Curbside Collection Schedule Reminder
Your curbside collection continues on Fridays until after the July 1st holiday (Canada Day) when it moves to Mondays starting July 4th. Forget your garbage day no more! Visit the District or RDN websites for your schedule and What Goes Where (recycling) or download the RDN Curbside app.
Latest Council Updates
From the 2022 Council Meetings
For more information, please contact the Director of Corporate Administration at 250.933.8082 or email district@lantzville.ca.