Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax
Answer
The 2026 residential property tax rate in Cape Breton Regional Municipality is $1.936 per $100 (1.9360% of assessed value), up 0.0% from 2025. On a home assessed at $500,000 that is about $9,680 a year.
- Total residential rate, 2026
- 1.9360%
- $1.936 per $100
- Change from 2025
- 0.0%
- Change in the total rate
- Rank in Nova Scotia
- 1 of 2
- Highest total rate = 1, among cities we cover
- Tax on $500,000
- $9,680
- Example value, before credits
Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax calculator
Estimate, 2026 residential rates
Where your Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax goes
2026 residential rate by component
| Component | Type | Rate (per $100) | % of value | Share of total | On $500,000 | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBRM base tax rate — residential | Municipal | 0.8931 | 0.8931% | 46.1% | $4,466 | 1 |
| Provincial service rate — Education (set by the Province of Nova Scotia) | Education | 0.3156 | 0.3156% | 16.3% | $1,578 | 1 |
| Fire services area rate — Sydney (Residential) | Other levies | 0.457 | 0.4570% | 23.6% | $2,285 | 1 |
| Hydrant service rate | Other levies | 0.1511 | 0.1511% | 7.8% | $756 | 1 |
| Transit service rate — Sydney Residential | Transit | 0.1192 | 0.1192% | 6.2% | $596 | 1 |
| Total (as published) | 1.936 | 1.9360% | 100% | $9,680 |
Fiscal year 2026/27 (April 1, 2026 - March 31, 2027). Headline = Sydney full-service residential rate 1.9360 per $100 from CBRM's historical rate table; the 2026-27 Tax Rates page breaks it into CBRM base residential $0.8931 + Education provincial service rate $0.3156 + Sydney residential fire area rate $0.4570 + hydrant $0.1511 + Sydney residential transit $0.1192 (sum 1.9360). Other fire area rates 2026-27: County $0.0947, Sydney Mines $0.1598, Dominion $0.2362, New Waterford $0.2494, Glace Bay $0.2626, North Sydney $0.2748, Louisbourg $0.2921; transit (all other areas) $0.1400. Minimum Residential Dwelling Tax $575.00. CBRM states the 2026/27 municipal tax rates remain the same as last year. Eligible owner-occupied residential assessments are limited by the provincial Capped Assessment Program (2026 CAP 2.6%).
Rates differ by area of Cape Breton Regional Municipality. The table shows the main area. Other areas in 2026:
- Glace Bay (full service): total $1.7624 per $100
- New Waterford (full service): total $1.7492 per $100
- North Sydney (full service): total $1.7746 per $100
- Sydney Mines (full service): total $1.6596 per $100
- Dominion (full service): total $1.736 per $100
- Louisbourg (full service): NOT VERIFIED: CBRM's historical table shows 1.6519, but CBRM's own published components (base + provincial rates + Louisbourg fire $0.2921 + hydrant/sewer + 'Transit (All other areas)') add to 1.7919; the Nova Scotia dataset shows n/a (dataset ends 2025/26). The difference is about one transit rate, and no official source says whether transit applies in Louisbourg. Total withheld.
- County of C.B. (Grand Lake, Alexandra, Reserve, New Victoria, Scotchtown) (full service): total $1.5945 per $100
- County of C.B. (Oland Hts, Tower Rd, Donkin, Florence, Coxheath, Westmount) (Sewer/Hydrant): total $1.4545 per $100
- County of C.B. (Upper North Sydney, Seaview Drive) (Transit/Hydrant): total $1.5945 per $100
- County of C.B. (Tanglewood) (Sewer/Transit): total $1.4434 per $100
- County of C.B. (Alder Pt, Mill Creek, Birch Grove) (Hydrant): total $1.4545 per $100
- County of C.B. (Carmichael) (Sewer): total $1.3034 per $100
- County of C.B. (Keltic Dr, Gardiner Mines, Kytes Hill) (Transit): total $1.4434 per $100
- County of C.B. - Unserviced Areas: total $1.3034 per $100
Rates as published for the residential class. Bills can also include fixed charges, local improvement levies and utility fees that are not based on assessed value.
Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax rate history
2022–2026
- 2022
- 2023
- 2024
- 2025
- 2026
| Year | Total rate | % of value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $2.1903 per $100 | 2.1903% | — |
| 2023 | $2.2185 per $100 | 2.2185% | +1.3% |
| 2024 | $1.9435 per $100 | 1.9435% | −12.4% |
| 2025 | $1.936 per $100 | 1.9360% | −0.4% |
| 2026 | $1.936 per $100 | 1.9360% | 0.0% |
| Component | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBRM residential tax rate — Sydney (full service; includes transit/hydrant/sewer service rates where applicable) | 2.1903 | 2.2185 | 1.9435 | 1.936 | — |
| CBRM base tax rate — residential | — | — | — | — | 0.8931 |
| Provincial service rate — Education (set by the Province of Nova Scotia) | — | — | — | — | 0.3156 |
| Fire services area rate — Sydney (Residential) | — | — | — | — | 0.457 |
| Hydrant service rate | — | — | — | — | 0.1511 |
| Transit service rate — Sydney Residential | — | — | — | — | 0.1192 |
Cape Breton Regional Municipality compared with other Nova Scotia cities
Compare two citiesCape Breton Regional Municipality's total residential rate of 1.9360% is above the 1.5355% average of the 2 Nova Scotia municipalities we cover. A lower rate does not always mean a lower bill: tax = assessed value × rate, so cities with high home values often have lower rates.
| Municipality | Latest year | Total rate (% of value) | Tax on $500,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Breton Regional Municipality | 2026 | 1.9360% | $9,680 |
| Halifax | 2026 | 1.1350% | $5,675 |
Rates are the residential rates in each city's latest confirmed year. All Nova Scotia municipalities · National rankings
When Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax is due and how to look up your bill
2026 due dates
- June 5, 2026
Two bills a year: interim bills are mailed in April and final bills in September. 2026 interim bills were mailed by April 28, 2026; because City Hall was closed June 1-2, the deadline for 2026 (interim) tax bill payments was extended to Friday, June 5, 2026, with no interest on payments received by then. 2026 final bills were issued by September 24, 2026; the final bill due date is printed on the bill and is NOT VERIFIED here.
Late payment: CBRM states late payments may be subject to interest; the interest rate on arrears is NOT VERIFIED (not stated on current official pages).
Look up or pay your bill
Use CBRM's online balance check (cbrm.ns.ca/checkbalance) with the first and last name on the bill and the tax account number; it shows the total on the bill mailed that month (not later payments). Balances and due dates are also available from 311 (phone or online chat).
Cape Breton Regional Municipality official property tax page
Online banking (payee Cape Breton Regional Municipality 'Tax', separate from 'Water'); through your bank or credit union; in person by cheque or cash at the Citizen Service Centre, City Hall, 320 Esplanade, Sydney (Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.); cheque delivered to City Hall – Tax Accounts with the tax account number; credit card through Paymentus (service fee; 1-866-837-4603); pre-authorized payment (form on the CBRM Forms page, submitted with a void cheque). CBRM notes many banks no longer pay taxes through mortgage (PIT) arrangements; check the 'Mortgage Company' section of the bill.
From Cape Breton Regional Municipality's official property tax pages (sources 4, 5, 7, 8, 9). Check your bill for the exact amounts and dates.
Your assessment in Cape Breton Regional Municipality
How assessment works in Nova ScotiaAssessed by: Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC). Valuation date used for 2026 taxes: January 1, 2025.
PVSC mails Property Assessment Notices every January. The 2026 assessed value reflects the property's physical state as of December 1, 2025 and its market value as of January 1, 2025. An appeal must be received by PVSC within 31 days of the date on the Notice; the deadline to appeal 2026 assessments was February 12, 2026 (signed appeal received no later than midnight). Eligible residential properties are covered by the Capped Assessment Program (2026 CAP rate 2.6%).
Rebates, credits and programs in Cape Breton Regional Municipality
All Nova Scotia programsThese programs are run by the city or the province. Eligibility is decided by the organization that runs each one; follow the links for the official rules.
Low-Income Property Tax Exemption
Maximum yearly tax reduction of $300.00 for permanent CBRM residents who own and live in the property as their primary residence, with total household income less than $41,664 (seasonal, vacation or income properties excluded). Apply every year with each household member's previous-year CRA Notice of Assessment; 2026 applications due on or before December 31, 2026; no retroactive applications. Run by Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Capped Assessment Program (CAP)
Caps the year-over-year increase in taxable assessment for eligible residential property; the 2026 CAP rate is 2.6% (based on Nova Scotia CPI). Run by Province of Nova Scotia / PVSC.
Property Tax Rebate for Seniors
Nova Scotia's Property Tax Rebate for Seniors refunds 50% of the municipal residential property taxes a low-income senior paid for 2025, up to $800. Applicants must receive, or be eligible for, the Guaranteed Income Supplement or the Allowance in 2026.
Other property taxes in Cape Breton Regional Municipality
Municipal Deed Transfer Tax in force 2026
CBRM deed transfer tax rate 1.5%, payable at the Sydney Land Registration Office (Service Nova Scotia list dated July 2026).
Minimum Residential Dwelling Tax in force 2026
Minimum residential dwelling tax of $575.00 (2026-27).
Cape Breton Regional Municipality property tax FAQ
What is the property tax rate in Cape Breton Regional Municipality?
The total residential property tax rate in Cape Breton Regional Municipality for 2026 is $1.936 per $100, which is 1.9360% of assessed value. It is made up of CBRM base tax rate — residential ($0.8931 per $100), Provincial service rate — Education (set by the Province of Nova Scotia) ($0.3156 per $100), Fire services area rate — Sydney (Residential) ($0.457 per $100), Hydrant service rate ($0.1511 per $100), Transit service rate — Sydney Residential ($0.1192 per $100).
How much property tax would I pay on a $500,000 home in Cape Breton Regional Municipality?
At the 2026 residential rate, a property assessed at $500,000 would pay about $9,680 a year before any grants, credits, fixed charges or local improvement levies. Your actual bill uses your own assessed value.
What is the 2026 residential property tax rate in Sydney (CBRM)?
$1.9360 per $100 of assessment for 2026/27: CBRM base $0.8931, education provincial service rate $0.3156, Sydney residential fire area rate $0.4570, hydrant $0.1511 and Sydney residential transit $0.1192.
Did CBRM raise tax rates for 2026/27?
No. CBRM states the 2026/27 municipal tax rates remain the same as last year; the Sydney residential rate is 1.9360 in both 2025/26 and 2026/27.
When are CBRM tax bills sent?
Interim bills are mailed in April and final bills in September. The 2026 interim payment deadline was extended to June 5, 2026; check your bill for the final due date.
Is there tax relief for low-income homeowners in CBRM?
Yes. The Low-Income Property Tax Exemption gives up to $300.00 a year to eligible owner-occupants with total household income under $41,664; apply by December 31, 2026.
How do I appeal my CBRM property assessment?
Appeal to PVSC within 31 days of the date on your Assessment Notice; for 2026 the deadline was February 12, 2026.
Sources
Verified by a second check against these sources on October 28, 2026
- Tax Rates (2026-27 CBRM Tax Rate), Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Historical tax rates from 2016/17 to 2026/27, Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Municipal Property Tax Rates (dataset ure8-3w7m), 2021/2022-2025/2026 rows for Cape Breton Regional, Province of Nova Scotia (data.novascotia.ca)Tax year 2025 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Tax Bill, Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Property Taxes / Check Tax Bill Balance, Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Taxes in the CBRM, Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Property Tax Bill Deadline Extended to June 5 (May 28, 2026), Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Property Tax Bills Are on the Way (April 28, 2026), Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Check Your Tax Balance Online (September 24, 2026), Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Low-Income Property Tax Exemption Application (Revised July 2026), Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Your Property Assessment Notice, Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC)Tax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Capped Assessment Program, Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC)Tax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- Municipal Deed Transfer Tax Rates (July 2026), Service Nova Scotia / Land Registration, Government of Nova ScotiaTax year 2026 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
- CBRM tax rate information (archived 2022/23-2024/25 rate component pages) and Special Council Meeting Minutes June 27, 2023, Cape Breton Regional MunicipalityTax year 2023 · checked October 28, 2026 · copy archived
Every figure on this page comes from the official sources above and was checked twice. Not affiliated with any government, municipality or assessment authority. Spotted an error? Report it.