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Frequently Asked Questions

Below you will find information that might help you understand how to find things or learn about information you might need to know about your city or town.

Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

17

  • Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*() Garbage 1

  • There are a several reasons to have your solid waste on the curb at 7:00am on your collection day.
    1. The City’s contractor may have to make schedule adjustments for time to time, so the time in which your carts are collected may change. Not having your carts at the curb first thing in the morning may cause you to miss your collection.
    2. During the winter months, the Municipal Services crews are busy with snow clearing and having solid waste carts are on the street the night before makes the job that much more difficult.
    3. Having the carts on the street the night before also increases the risk that your carts may fall victim to vandalism. The carts are your responsibility and if they are damaged, lost or stolen through no fault of the City, it is the home owner who is responsible for the cost to have them replaced
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • The cost for carts is $65 each. This cost is the responsibility of the home owner if the cart is lost, stolen or damaged through no fault of the City or its contractors. The new carts can be purchased at City Hall during business hours.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • Each cart has a unique serial number on the side of the cart and if you have it written down, you can easily identify your cart.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • During the winter months every resident can put their carts where they normally put them provided they are:
    • Sitting on the ground or asphalt, not on a snow bank
    • They are at least 2 meters away from other obstructions, such as a snow bank or a vehicle
    • They are not blocked by any other obstruction that impedes the tipping arm of the truck
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • The items that all City of Williams Lake residents can put in their recycle cart are:

    1. All tins cans, cleaned
    2. All newspapers
    3. All cardboard
    4. All other paper products
    5. Most rigid plastic packaging
    6. No Styrofoam, plastic bags, or glass
    7. Paper cups
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • Yes, glass is recyclable however when a resident puts glass into a recycling cart it can be broken and the broken glass then contaminates the entire contents of the cart. Glass is also very hazardous to the people who receive the recyclables and have to sort the material.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • Yes. If a residence needs another solid waste or recycling cart, the registered property owner can apply for a second set of carts at City Hall during business hours. The applicant will have to pay for the second set of carts initially and the additional fees for tipping those carts will be included on their utility bill.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • The registered property owner can apply and pay for another set of carts and the tipping fees for those carts will be included on the next utility bill.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • It is the responsibility of the home owner to take care of any excess solid waste that does not fit in to the solid waste carts.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • No. the lids for both the solid waste and recycling container have to be completely closed to be able to be tipped into the truck. Having the lid open, even slightly encourages garbage to escape either by wind or birds and animals to get in and throw garbage out.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • No. If you live in an area that is frequented by bears, you need to take the required precautions to ensure the bears do not get into your garbage or even encourage the bears to visit your garbage cart. Bears are creatures of opportunity and if they know where they can get an easy meal they will return to the same place. Do not place anything in your garbage that a bear might be able to eat or smell from a great distance.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • Yes. The City has two sizes of carts 240 liters and 120 liters. A resident can apply for a smaller set of carts for medical reasons at any time. But once they have the smaller carts there is a $130 fee to have the carts changed back to the 240 liter size again.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • The carts belong with the property, if you are moving you must leave your carts with the residence for the new home owners. Likewise, the new home into which you are moving into should have a set of carts for you upon your arrival.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • If you are moving into a new home in Williams Lake, you must apply and pay for a new set of carts at City Hall during business hours. Once the fees have been paid, a new set of carts will be delivered with a set of instructions for the new resident.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • If the City’s contractor sees the contamination in the cart and can stop the tipping process, they will do so and the resident will have to deal with the cart on their own. If this happens too often, the City will visit the residence and educate the home owners on the use of the recycling cart. If the problem persists the City has the right to suspend solid waste collection services to that address until the home owner complies with the proper procedure.
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

  • No. Certain items are prohibited in the garbage carts. These items are, but not limited to:
    1. Explosives
    2. Raw sewage or septic tank sludge
    3. Highly flammable materials
    4. Noxious, offensive, or unwholesome matter
    5. Oversized items of any kind that do not allow for proper closure of both garbage and recycling containers
    6. Dead animals
    7. Demolition or construction waste
    8. Trade waste
    9. Any liquids
    Garbage Collection's !@#$%^&*()

Financial Services

10

  • Property taxes for a year are due on July 2 of the year. If July 2 falls on a Sunday or Saturday that is a non-working day, then the due date is on the immediately following working day.
    Financial Services Financial 2

  • On average, 20% of all households change hands each year. The city has no way to guarantee that a property owner is still eligible for the grant.
    Financial Services

  • Yes! It is very important to do this. If the grant is not claimed by the due date then a 10% penalty would apply. It costs nothing to make the grant claim.
    Financial Services

  • Tax notices are generally mailed out the last week of May. If you have not received your notice by June 10, contact City Hall immediately at 250.392.2311.
    Financial Services

  • Yes, you can, but there is a "convenience fee" added. The credit card companies charge City fees of 3 to 5 percent every time credit card payment is made - these fees are charged back to customers for offering the privilege of paying with an alternative non-standard payment method. City accepts many other payment methods that are fee-free.

    Financial Services

  • Yes, City Hall accepts Interac.
    Financial Services

  • You can mail your payment to us, drop off a postdated cheque, pay online through your bank, signup for pre-authorized payments, call to make a credit card payment. We also implementing online payment option. Call us at City Hall to find out more, 250.392.2311.

    Financial Services

  • Yes you can. You may claim a retroactive homeowner grant for the previous year. To learn more and apply visit gov.bc.ca/homeownergrant or call 1 888 355 2700. 

    Financial Services

  • Yes, you can make payments on your tax account at any time throughout the year. However, if current taxes are not paid in full by the due date there will be a 10% penalty on the amount outstanding at that time. Alternatively, you can signup for our new pre-authorized payment plan, call City Hall to find out how, 250.392.2311.
    Financial Services

  • The City is in the process of implementing online payment services for 2023 tax season. Please call City Hall at 250.392.2311 to check if the service is already available.

    Financial Services

Building Permits

9

  • View details on when to apply for a Building Permit:

    Building Permits

  • For details on the Building Permit process, please visit the following page:
    Building Permits

  • For inspection details, please visit the following page:
    Building Permits

  • To review what is considered when reviewing a Building Permit application, please visit the following page:
    Building Permits

  • Fire Commissioner's Office Permits are required for the following:
    • Installation of gas, oil or diesel tanks
    • Oil burner installation
    • Gasoline, oil, or any other flammable liquid storage tanks
    • Waste oil storage tanks
    Building Permits

  • You will need to apply to the Board of Variance. For more details, visit the following page:
    Building Permits

  • Learn about the Building Permit application process and download a permit:
    Building Permits Building 3

  •  "Show/Hide All Answers" link does not announce when items have been expanded/collapsed  "Show/Hide All Answers" link does not announce when items have been expanded/collapsed 

    Building Permits

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    Building Permits
  1. Williams Lake Logo

Contact Us

  1. City of Williams Lake

    450 Mart Street
    Williams Lake, BC
    V2G 1N3
    Phone: 250-392-2311
    Fax: 250-392-4408

    Department Directory

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