What are Business Improvement Area taxes?
Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) help downtown commercial districts stay vibrant. In Wrenford, the Downtown Wrenford BIA covers the core commercial area around Mercer and Tamsin Streets. Each year, the BIA board sets a budget for local programs, events, and public space improvements. The City of Wrenford collects the BIA tax on their behalf and passes the full amount back to the BIA to fund those projects.
How is your assessment calculated?
Every business located inside the BIA boundary receives an annual assessment notice. The City determines your assessment based on the typical net annual rental value of your commercial space. This value considers the size of your leased or occupied area, its location, and the quality of the building. The City uses market averages from rental surveys, so your assessment may not match exactly what you pay in rent.
Your final tax bill is calculated by multiplying your assessment amount by the tax rate approved by City Council for the current year.
When is payment due?
Assessment notices are mailed to all businesses in February. The full BIA tax amount is due by March 31 each year. You can check your current balance through the Wrenford Business Portal or by calling the Business Navigation Service team.
How to pay
You can pay your BIA tax in full by the due date, or you can spread the cost over the year. The City offers a BIA Tax Monthly Payment Plan that lets you pay through automatic bank withdrawals. If you enroll, your bank account is withdrawn on the first business day of each month. Your first payment will cover the current year's taxes up to that month, plus any unpaid balance from previous years.
Disputing your assessment
If you believe your assessment does not accurately reflect the typical rental value of your space, you can request a review. The City provides a free Downtown Wrenford BIA assessment review through the Business Navigation Service team. Staff will look at your property details and explain how the value was determined. If you still disagree after this review, you may file an appeal through the Provincial Offences Court.
Late payments and penalties
If your BIA tax is not paid by March 31, a 5% penalty is added on April 1. An additional 1.25% per month is applied to the outstanding balance for each month it remains unpaid. Please contact the Business Navigation Service team as soon as possible if you are struggling to pay, and we can discuss your options.
Contact us
For questions about your BIA tax bill, assessment details, or to enroll in the monthly payment plan, reach out to the Business Navigation Service team:
- Phone: 519-555-0147
- Email: [email protected]
- In person: Service Wrenford counter, Wrenford City Hall (100 Mercer Street). Hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.