St. Catharines property tax

The City's 2026 tax rates table (Residential RT) gives a General rate of 1.833408% and an Urban rate of 1.842187%. 'Most properties in St. Catharines are taxed under the urban rate, which includes allotments for streetlights and transit.' Regional rates come from Niagara Region By-law No. 2026-16 (passed March 26, 2026), given there as decimal fractions: General 0.00774131, Waste Management 0.00073070, Transit 0.00136960; converted to percent (x100). Education 0.153% is from O. Reg. 400/98. The City's own 2026 rates (General, Urban, Hospital, Infrastructure) are not published separately on the City's pages (NOT VERIFIED). The tax rate by-law was passed April 13, 2026 (s12), but its text was not available.

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.

St. Catharines's total residential rate of 1.8422% is above the 1.4606% average of the 60 Ontario 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.

Rates are the residential rates in each city's latest confirmed year. All Ontario municipalities · National rankings

From St. Catharines's official property tax pages (sources 1, 13, 16). Check your bill for the exact amounts and dates.

These 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.

• Property Tax Deferral Program for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities

  Defers the current year's tax increase where taxes rose by at least $200 from the previous year. Open to owners receiving the Guaranteed Income Supplement, or low-income individuals with disabilities receiving Ontario Disability Support Program funding. Prior years' taxes must be paid in full. Repayment is due on transfer or disposition of the property, or if the owner stops being eligible. Run by City of St. Catharines.

• Older Homeowner Property Tax Increase Deferral Program

  Defers year-over-year increases in the City portion of property taxes for eligible homeowners aged 65+ with household income below the Statistics Canada Benchmark Household Income for St. Catharines. Deferred taxes carry 5% annual interest and are a priority lien, payable on sale or transfer or when the owner withdraws. The application fee is $50 (non-refundable). Run by City of St. Catharines.

• Cancellation, reduction and refund of property taxes

  Residential and commercial/industrial owners can apply to the City for cancellation, reduction or refund of property taxes. Run by City of St. Catharines.

• Ontario Energy and Property Tax Credit (OEPTC)

  A tax-free Ontario payment that helps residents with property tax and the sales tax on energy costs. For the 2026 benefit year the maximum is $1,307, or $1,488 for seniors, paid through the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

• Northern Ontario Energy Credit (NOEC)

  A tax-free payment for residents of 10 Northern Ontario districts to help with higher home energy costs. For the 2026 benefit year the maximum is $189 for a single person and $290 for families, paid through the Ontario Trillium Benefit.

• Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant (OSHPTG)

  An annual Ontario grant of up to $500 for low- to moderate-income homeowners aged 64 or older who paid Ontario property tax on their principal residence. It is claimed on Form ON-BEN with the income tax return and paid by the Canada Revenue Agency.

• Business Improvement Area (BIA) levy in force 2026

  The Downtown Association BIA rate (0.309293% in 2026) applies only to commercial properties in the BIA, not to residential properties.