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May 2026
COMMUNITY UPDATE
| | News and Information from the District of Lantzville | | Paper distribution ended with the January 2026 edition. New subscribers can continue to sign up to receive this news update electronically at lantzville.ca. | Upcoming Council Meetings | |
May 6 @ 6:00pm - Regular Council Meeting
May 20 @ 6:00pm - Regular Council Meeting
| Visit lantzville.ca and click on the meeting date on the calendar to access Council agendas, minutes, link to livestream, Zoom registration and video recordings. The start time of open meetings may vary if a closed portion is required at the beginning of the meeting. | | |
Monday to Friday (except holidays)
The Municipal Hall will be closed on Monday, May 18, for Victoria Day.
By phone or email: 8:00am-4:00pm
In-person payment & document drop off: 8:30am-4:00pm
P: 250.390.4006
E: district@lantzville.ca
After-hours Public Works emergency call: 1.888.826.8271
All other emergencies call: 911
| | Curbside Collection Calendar | | |
The Regional District of Nanaimo manages the contract for garbage, recycling and food waste collection in the region.
For bin upgrades or questions regarding your Curbside Collection, contact the Regional District of Nanaimo.
P: 250.390.6501 or E: curbside@rdn.bc.ca
| | Stage 2 Watering Restrictions in Effect Across the Region, Friday, May 1, 2026 | | |
Effective May 1, 2026, outdoor water conservation measures are in place in Lantzville and across much of eastern Vancouver Island in response to the heightened risk of drought.
Under Stage 2, outdoor watering is restricted as follows:
- Even-numbered addresses may sprinkle only on even-numbered calendar days
- Odd-numbered addresses may sprinkle only on odd-numbered calendar days
- Sprinkling is permitted for a maximum of two hours per day, either between 7am-10am, or between 7pm-10pm.
- Vegetable gardens and drip irrigation systems are exempt from these restrictions
Early conservation is needed as eastern Vancouver Island entered the fall of 2025 under dry conditions, with several watersheds remaining vulnerable going into winter. Recovery during the winter was limited as snowpack remained below average increasing the risk of water shortages later this year. Seasonal climate outlooks point to warmer-than-average temperatures and below-average precipitation through spring and summer 2026, raising concerns of early onset drought conditions.
Please do your part to proactively conserve water. The District of Lantzville will be monitoring watering restrictions and working with residents to ensure compliance.
See our watering restrictions page for the latest information.
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Huddlestone Park Hydro-Seeding In Progress | |
Huddlestone Park reopened on April 10, 2026, following a construction project to install accessibility improvements throughout the park.
You will notice there is still some temporary fencing and signage as the district continues to conduct hydro-seeding of the grassed areas that were impacted by the construction process. If you are using the park, please do your part to stay off the hydro-seeding areas until further notice.
For more information about the park upgrades, please see our recent media release, "Lantzville Awarded Funding to Support Accessibility Improvements at Huddlestone Park".
| Property Tax Notices Coming Soon | |
The District of Lantzville's property tax notices will be mailed towards the end of May and are due on July 2, 2026. The notice will include instructions on how to claim your home owner's grant if you are eligible.
Please note, notices are automatically sent to the mailing address on the title of the property. This is particularly important to note if you own a rental property in Lantzville or have recently gained occupancy for a new home.
To change your mailing address, you must contact the Land Title and Survey Authority (LTSA) to register an address change on title. Title changes are automatically communicated to the District of Lantzville. The LTSA can also be reached by phone: 604.630.9630.
| First Quarter Utility Bills Due May 8, 2026 | |
Utility bills for the first quarter of 2026 were distributed in April. If you have registered to have your bill sent via email, you will not get a copy in your mailbox.
Payments are due by Friday, May 8, 2026, and can be made directly through your online banking, or by cash, cheque or debit at the Municipal Hall. Late payments are automatically subject to a 10% penalty.
Questions can be directed to our Finance department by emailing finance@lantzville.ca or calling 250.933.8086.
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District of Lantzville
- Seaside Community Society Member programs at Costin Hall include: Line Dancing, Mondays 10:00-11:00am (Drop in $5) and Carpet Bowling, Tuesdays 9:30-11:30am (Drop-in for $7). Join the Seaside Community Society for a one-time membership fee of $15 and then come try something new!
- Koffee Klub is held at the Lantzville Legion every Thursday morning, 10:00-11:30am. Everyone welcome! Coffee and treat for a toonie.
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Music Bingo Nights are at the Lantzville Legion, Friday, May 8 and 22, 2026. Order ahead for meals at waysandmeans257@shaw.ca.
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May is Invasive Plant Removal Month, and our local BroomBusters team is hard at work . Community cuts are scheduled for May 1, 3 and 7, 2026. For more information and to get involved, click here!
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City of Nanaimo
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May is also Invasive Plant Removal Month in the City of Nanaimo. There will be work parties, as well as a Drop Zone on Saturday, May 30, 2026, for the public to bring their invasive plants for safe disposal. The Drop Zone will be held at Bowen Park from 10:00am-2:00pm, lower parking lot.
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Concerts in the Park are back this spring and summer. The next concert is May 15, 2026, 6-7pm at Maffeo Sutton Park featuring bluegrass and banjo artist Murfitt & Main. The complete schedule and details about the performers can be found here: Concert in the Park series
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Youth Week happens May 1-7, 2026, where the community celebrates youth with a variety of programs - many are free, and some require registration. Fun includes pizza parties, toonie swims, paddling, clay workshops and more!
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Family Fishing Day takes place on Sunday, May 10, 2026, 10:00am-3:00pm at Colliery Dam Park. There will be live entertainment, learn to fish programs (registration required), community booths, food trucks, and a trout release at 12:00 noon.
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Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN)
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Be active everyday by participating in our spring or summer programs! The Summer 2026 program flyer will be viewable online on May 8, 2026, with registration opening May 12, 2026 at 8am. Be the first to view the summer programs online by subscribing to REC Connect.
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GoByBike Week runs May 30-June 5, 2026. Get ready to pedal for fun and prizes during GoByBike Week. View details online and register today!
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The Golden Shoe Hunt turns 20!
For 20 years, families, friends and explorers have searched the region to uncover the famous golden shoe and be entered into prize draws. Weekly clues will be posted until May 18, 2026. Register to receive weekly clues to your inbox.
| | | | Save the Date: Municipal Election October 2026 | | |
The Municipal Election is scheduled across the province on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The residents of the District of Lantzville will elect one Mayor and four Councillors. Advance voting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and Wednesday, October 14, 2026. All voting will run from 8am to 8pm at Costin Hall.
More details will be released as we move towards the Fall, including vote by mail options for those unable to attend the polling station on those days.
| Now Accepting Poll Worker Applications | |
The District of Lantzville is seeking candidates to work the 2026 General Local Election at our Costin Hall polling site. We are now accepting applications to work at the polls through our Statement of Interest Application. Please read the job descriptions before applying.
The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026. Applications submitted after May 15, 2026, will be kept on file and considered as needed.
Questions and applications can be directed to vote@lantzville.ca.
| Did You Know Municipal Elections Use the Provincial Voter's List? | |
In preparation for the Fall 2026 Municipal Election, please make sure you are registered and your home address is current on the Provincial Voter's List. Your primary residential address determines the municipality and school district race where you can cast a vote. Address changes made after August 25, 2026, will not be included in the advance voter registration list provided to the District of Lantzville.
Voter registration is available online or by phone 1-800-661-8683.
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It's time to get FireSmart with your landscaping. By making the right strategic choices in your yard, you can make your property more resilient to wildfire.
Did you know, FireSmart Plant Program tags make planting a wildfire resilient yard easy; find them at participating garden centres throughout the region.
Visit the FireSmart BC Landscaping Hub for an extensive list of fire-resistant plants, tips on how to create a FireSmart landscape and information on the FireSmart BC Plant Program.
| | | | Open Air Burning Rules Changed April 16, 2026 | |
As per Bylaw 185, outdoor air burning (fire piles on the ground) and incinerator fires are PROHIBITED April 16 through to October 14, 2026.
In addition, no open air fires are permitted on any beach within the boundaries of the District of Lantzville year round. However, the use of portable propane campfire apparatus is permitted between 11am-8pm if using a CSA/ULC Approved apparatus and flame height is less than 15 cm.
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Did you know, there are several ways to keep up with news from the District of Lantzville?
- Monthly newsletter (this!)
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District of Lantzville Facebook Page. You can follow us here.
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Visit our website. The homepage is the best place to see what's new & find our current public notices.
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View agendas, minutes and videos of recent Council Meetings through our monthly calendar here.
| | Census Collection Starts May 4, 2026 | |
Every five years, Canadians participate in the census. The 2026 Census of Population will mark Canada's 24th national census and collection begins on May 4, 2026.
Households will receive a census invitation letter in the mail starting in May with instructions on how to complete their questionnaire. Completing the questionnaire online is the best way for Canadians to fulfill their census obligation. It's secure and confidential. Respondents without reliable access to the Internet can call the Census Help Line to complete their census questionnaire over the phone or request a paper questionnaire.
By completing your census, you are helping provide high-quality information on key socioeconomic trends and analysis that supports important decisions that affect Canadian families, neighbourhoods and businesses. Census data is essential for planning programs and services that support employment, public transit, education, health care and more. All levels of government, including municipalities like the District of Lantzville, rely on this information.
| Using Technology During a Disaster | |
In recognition of Emergency Preparedness Week in Canada, here are some tips for using technology during a large scale emergency:
- If possible, use non-voice channels like text messaging, email or social media. These use less bandwidth than voice communications and may work even when the phone service doesn't.
- If you must use a phone, keep your conversation brief and convey only vital information to emergency personnel or family. This will also conserve your phone's battery.
- Unable to complete a call? Wait 10 seconds before redialing to help reduce network congestion.
- Keep a charger for your mobile device in your emergency kit. Consider getting a solar-powered, crank or vehicle phone charger.
- Keep your contacts up to date and program in emergency contacts. Don't forget to include your insurance agent.
- Conserve your smartphone battery by reducing the screen's brightness, placing your phone in airplane mode, and closing apps you are not using. You never know how long a power outage might last.
The District of Lantzville receives emergency services from the Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) and encourages everyone to learn about the hazards unique to their area and the actions they can take during an emergency. Learn more here!
Remember, being prepared for 72 hours of self-resiliency is a must and being prepared for 14 days is ideal!
| | Mandatory Waste Source Separation Bylaw | | |
The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) has a Mandatory Waste Source Separation Bylaw which came into effect on January 1, 2025. This bylaw requires all multi-family residences, businesses and organizations to provide separate, labelled containers for garbage, food waste, and recyclables. The grace period for implementation ended in July 2025, so the bylaw is now fully in effect.
To support users, the RDN has launched a Sort Smart Technical Assistance Program which allows users to book a free onsite visit to review current waste set up, identify any gaps and share practical tips to meet the bylaw requirements.
Please forward any questions or concerns to zerowaste@rdn.bc.ca, call 250.390.6576 or see the Sort Smart website.
If you looking for information about waste collection and separation for single family homes, click here.
| | Do you Want to Speak to the Mayor? | | Call 250.390.4006 to book an appointment or email mayor.swain@lantzville.ca | | | | |
