Frequently Asked Questions

Public Works

• When is the landfill open?
• Where is the Landfill?
• When is my garbage picked up?
• Is there free spring and fall compost pick up?
• What do I do with my recyclable products?
• When may I irrigate?
• What happens to Cemetery flowers when the grass is mowed?

Town Administration

• When are the Town Offices open?
• When are council meetings?
• When are my taxes due?
• What is the Homeowner Grant?
• How can I pay my bills?
• Does the Town offer a commissioner service for signing affidavits?
• Can I burn in Town?
• Can I burn in the rural area?

Other, Non-Municipal Questions Some frequently requested information is provided her for public convenience. For further information, consult the blue pages in your telephone directory, or for provincial offices, contact the government agent at 498-3898

• Where can I get Tourist Information?
• Where is the Oliver Chamber of Commerce?
• Who is MLA , MP, Rural Director?
• When can I see the rural building inspector?
• Where is Health Unit?
• Who controls the River Dyke?
• Where is the Food Bank?

Q: When is the landfill open?

• The Oliver and District Landfill is operated by the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. The hours of operation and other information including tipping fees and regulations are available on the regional district website.

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Q: Where is the Landfill?

• The landfill is located off Black Sage Road, approximately 7 km south of the Hospital

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Q: When is my garbage picked up?

• Residential garbage collection service is provided inside the Town of Oliver by contract with BFI. For a complete description of this program please visit the garbage collection page on this web site.
• Garbage collection is on Thursdays inside the Town of Oliver. Garbage must be at the curb by 7:00 am on collection day.
• Contact BFI at 498-4888 with questions about garbage collection.

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Q: Is there free compost pick-up provided?

• The Town provides free collection of compostable yard waste every other week from March to November as indicated on your calendar. Materials collected include leaves, grass clippings, prunings and branches.
• Loose material must be placed in containers or open bags.
• Refer to your annual garbage and recycle calendar for collection dates

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Q: What materials can I recycle?

• The Town provides curbside collection of recyclable materials for all residents every second week, on garbage collection days. For a complete description of this program including a description of eligible materials and collection dates, please visit the recycling page on this web site.

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Q: When may I irrigate?

• Farm irrigation is only permitted during the season designated by council from year to year. This season usually starts in late April and ends in early October. Check this web site for exact times.
• Residential irrigation in the rural area is permitted outside the designated season, provided that no more than one 2.5 gallon per minute sprinkler is used at a time.
• Irrigation inside the Town is not restricted to 2.5 gallons per minute; however wasting water by over-irrigating is not permitted.

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Q: How does grass mowing effect flowers placed at the Cemetery?

• The Oliver Cemetery is mowed every Thursday during the growing season.
• Artificial flower arrangements are removed from gravesites prior to mowing and placed on a shelf at the cemetery. Due to the high costs involved, they cannot be indexed and replaced by Town crews.
• Cut flowers in a limp or dry condition are disposed of.

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Q: When is the Town Office open?

• The Town office is open:
• 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

• The office is closed:
• New years day
• Family Day
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Victoria Day
• Canada Day
• BC Day
• Labour Day
• Remembrance Day
• After 12:30 on Christmas Eve, and for the week between Christmas and New Years Day

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Q: When are Council Meetings?

• Regular council meetings are held on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month, with one meeting canceled in each of August and December.
• Visit our council meeting page to find out more and to download upcoming agendas.
• Regular meetings start at 7:00 pm and are open to the public.
• Committee meetings are held most council meeting days at 4:00 pm and are also open to the public.
• Council's meeting chambers are located at 6173 Kootenay Street

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Q: When are my taxes due?

• Municipal Taxes are due not later than the first business day following July 1.
• Any unpaid amount after the due date is subject to an automatic 10% penalty.

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Q: What is the Northern and Rural Homeowner's Grant?

• This is a special grant offered by the Province of British Columbia to residents who own the home they live in.
• It may be used to reduce the amount of residential property tax owning.
• The grant must be applied for each year, prior to the tax due date to avoid late payment penalties.
• The grant amounts are shown on your tax notice. They are set by the Province.  The maximum grants available currently are:
• $770 for the regular grant
• $1,045 grant for persons 65 years of age or older or persons with qualifying disabilities.

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Q: How can I pay my municipal bills?

• Municipal bills can be paid at the Town Office as follows:
• cash
• debit card
• cheque
• post dated cheque(s)
• by mail to PO Box 638, Oliver BC, V0H 1T0 (cheques only)
• Telebanking
• Online
• We do not consider post marks or teller stamps as date of payment
• Sorry, but because of service charges incurred on receipts, we cannot accept Visa® or Mastercard®.

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Q: Does the Town offer a commissioner service for signing affidavits?

• The Corporate Officer and Deputy Corporate Officer positions are designated as commissioners for taking affidavits in British Columbia
• Affidavits will only be accepted for local government purposes
• Other documents must be taken to the Government Agent or a lawyer or notary public.

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Q. Can I burn in Town?

• Burning of garbage or operation of burning barrels is not permitted at any time within the Town of Oliver.
• On properties larger than 1/2 acre, permits may be requested to burn agricultural waste (prunings and plant materials generated by farm operations) by contacting: 
  • Fire Chief, Dan Skaros at 250-498-9195.

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Q: Can I burn in the Rural Area?

• Contact the Ministry of Forests at 1-888-797-1717 for a burning permit.

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Q: Where can I get Tourist Information?

• The South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce is a great place to start. The Chamber operates the Oliver Tourist Info centre from their offices. Additional information is also available of the Chamber web site www.sochamber.ca .

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Q: Where is the Oliver Chamber of Commerce?

• The Oliver Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Information Centre is located in the CPR building at 6272 Station Street.
• Phone 498-6321 for further information.

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Q: Who is the MLA, MP, RDOS Representative?

• The Member of the Legislative Assembly (BC Government) is:
• John Slater
• Phone 250-495-2042 or Toll Free 1-877-652-4304
   
• The Member of Parliament (Canada) is:
• Alex Atamanenko
• Phone 1-800-667-2393?

• The Area "C" Director (RDOS) is:
• Allan Patton
• Phone 250-485-2288

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Q: When is the rural building inspector available?

• You may phone the RDOS office in Penticton at 492-0237 for details on rural area building inspection.

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Q: Where is the Health Unit?

• This provincial office is located in the South Wing of the South Okanagan General Hospital
• Call the office directly at 498-4966 for hours and other information.

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Q: Who looks after the Okanagan River dyke area?

• The Okanagan Flood Control Right of Way is owned by the Ministry of Environment.
• To report concerns about the river, flooding, tree falls, illegal camping, etc., please call 490-8200.

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Q: Where is the Food Bank?

• The food bank is located on Station Street.
• It is operated on a volunteer basis and is currently open only on Wednesdays.

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