A Guide for Homeowners and New Residents

What are Property Taxes?
Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for municipal operations and local services. In North Kawartha, property taxes help pay for things like fire & emergency services, road maintenance and snow removal, parks, facility maintenance, libraries, waste collection, and more, as well as County and Education obligations

How Are Taxes Calculated?
The amount you owe each year is based on two things:

1. Assessment value – the assessed value of your property, as determined by the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC).

2. Tax rates – a tax rate set by Township Council (for municipal portion), the County, and the Province (for education). Once budgets are approved, the applicable rates are multiplied by your property’s assessed value to derive your annual tax amount.

Assessment Overview
MPAC is responsible for assessing your property. Assessments are updated periodically (e.g. in four-year cycles) so that values reflect current market conditions.

If you don’t agree with your assessment or how your property is classified, you can file a Request for Reconsideration with MPAC.

Tax Bill & Installments
North Kawartha issues interim and final tax bills each year.

The interim bill is based on approximately 50% of the previous year’s taxes, while the final bill reflects the total amount owing after the current year’s tax rates are applied, minus any interim payments.

Each bill is issued in two installments, with due dates provided on your tax notice. This approach helps residents manage payments over the year while ensuring municipal revenues are collected to fund essential services.

Supplementary Taxes
A supplementary tax bill may be issued in addition to your regular tax bills if there are changes to your property during the year. This could include:

• new construction or building additions

• renovations that change the assessed value

• changes in land use or property classification

If you get a supplementary tax notice, it reflects those mid-year changes and is separate from, not a replacement of, your regular property tax bills.

Virtual Town Hall
Virtual Town Hall (VTH) is a new online portal available to residents 24/7 that allows you to:

• View your property tax account and payment history
• View general receivables
• Update your mailing address and contact information
• Sign up for electronic billing/customize paperless notifications
• View copies of electronic bills
• And coming soon: make property tax and general receivable payments

VTH also includes a property search function that provides easy access to public assessment information for the current and prior year (no account required).

Need Help?
For further assistance with your property taxes, contact the Finance Department at the Township of North Kawartha or visit our taxation webpage for more information.

All dogs residing in the Township of North Kawartha must be licensed under By-law 20025-0013. The Township offers a lifetime dog licence for a one-time fee of $40.00, which includes a durable tag that must be securely affixed to your dog at all times.

A lifetime dog licence and tag can be obtained by completing the online application form and submitting the $40.00 licence fee.

Payment Options:

• In person at the Municipal Office (licence and tag provided immediately)

• By mail to the Township Office (licence and tag will be mailed to the address provided on the application form)

Please note that dog licences are non-transferable.

If you have any questions or need assistance with the online application process, please contact the Municipal Office at 705-656-4445 ext. 232.

Reporting a Lost or Found Dog?
To help keep our community safe and enjoyable for everyone, dogs must be on a leash when outside your property. Dogs found running at large may be seized and impounded.

If you have lost your dog, found a dog running at large, or have any concerns, please contact our Dog Control Officer:
Deb Haigh, Animal Control
Phone: 705-760-6968
Email: dhaigh@nexicom.net

A burn permit is required for all open-air burning in the Township of North Kawartha, including campfires and brush burning.

Burn permits are free and can be completed online or in person during regular operating hours, at the following locations

• Municipal Office (280 Burleigh Street, Apsley) or
• Anstruther Marina (23 Fire Route 63, Anstruther Lake)

Seasonal Burning Hours:
From April 1 to October 31, burning is only permitted between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., no daytime burning is allowed during this period.

Please remember that the use of burn barrels, the burning of grass, leaves, garbage, or any hazardous materials, and the ignition of flying lanterns are strictly prohibited.

Before burning, always check for current fire bans or restrictions.

For full details, please consult the Township’s Open Air Burning By-law or contact the Fire Department for assistance.

Public Health Ontario provides free testing for private drinking water systems, such as wells, cisterns, and treated lake water. Samples are tested for bacterial indicators of contamination, including E. coli and total coliforms.

The Township of North Kawartha has partnered with Public Health to offer the Municipal Office as a sample drop-off location on:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays

• 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (spring to fall, paused in winter)

Water sample bottles are available for pickup at the Municipal Office during regular business hours.

For details, instructions, and online requisitions, visit Public Health Ontario’s website.

For further assistance on sample pick-up or drop-off information, please contact the Township Receptionist at 705-656-5175.

A properly maintained septic system protects your property, the environment, and the health of our community. The Province of Ontario has created the Septic Smart Guide, which explains how systems work and provides practical tips on how to care for them.

The Township of North Kawartha also operates a Sewage System Maintenance and Inspection Program, designed to ensure septic systems are functioning properly and safely. This program helps residents maintain compliance with provincial regulations and avoid costly repairs.

For more information on the program, please visit our Sewage System Maintenance Program page or contact the Building and By-law Department at 705-656-5188.