Southern Gulf Islands, British Columbia
British Columbia's Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast communities are drawing more and more people who want a piece of the stunning physical beauty, gentle climate, and rural charm. Steadily increasing demand for land in these areas is resulting in higher property values and taxes. More development also means more pressure on sensitive island ecosystems that are frequently home to rare and endangered species.
The Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP) is a property tax incentive program designed to encourage landowners to protect the natural features of their land. Launched by the Islands Trust and the Islands Trust Fund in 2005, NAPTEP got a facelift in early 2008 in response to landowner feedback. I encourage all island landowners in the Southern Gulf Islands and Sunshine Coast to take a fresh look at NAPTEP today!
The program currently operates in the Galiano, Gambier, Mayne, North and South Pender, Saturna and Salt Spring Island local trust areas and may expand to other parts of the trust area as regional districts agree to become partners. It provides landowners who permanently protect natural features of their land with the opportunity to receive a 65% exemption in property taxes on the protected portion of their land.
Eligible Lands and Features
To qualify for NAPTEP a landowner must be willing to permanently protect, through a NAPTEP conservation covenant, one or more of the eligible features on their property. Eligible features include:
- Areas relatively undisturbed by human activity that are good examples of important ecosystems such as forests over 80 years old, woodlands, water features, sparsely vegetated natural areas, coastal bluffs, etc.
- Areas relatively undisturbed by human activity that are key habitat for rare native plant species or plant communities.
- Areas that are critical habitat for native animal speciesin relation to breeding, rearing, feeding or staging.
- Special geological features.
There are no minimum or maximum lot size requirements. However, the program may not be beneficial for small properties with a low assessed value. Each situation is unique based on a landowner's personal tax circumstances. Properties must be classified as "residential" by BC Assessment to qualify for the program.
For more about Pender Island real estate, visit Howard Sanders online @ http://www.homesonpender.com/
Contact info:
• Email: Howard@HomesOnPender.com
• Cell: (250) 222-HOME (4663)
Best Regards,
Howard on Pender
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