Business Improvement Area (BIA) - Historic Downtown Abbotsford

PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO CITY OF ABBOTSFORD BYLAW

ABBOTSFORD DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA

In accordance with sections 210, 211, 213, 215, and 216 of the Community Charter, the Council of the City of Abbotsford gives notice that it intends to undertake, on its own initiative, an amendment to the local service described below for the benefit of the specified Downtown Abbotsford Business Improvement Area (ADBIA) of the City.

An amendment to the Downtown Abbotsford Business Improvement Area Bylaw would establish the proposed amendment for this local area service as well as increasing the levy amount established by the bylaw.

Abbotsford Council may amend the Abbotsford Downtown Business Improvement Area Bylaw, unless enough counter petitions showing a lack of interest in this service are submitted by 2:00 p.m. on October 11, 2025.

A separate counter petition form must be submitted for each property that would be subject to the local service levy. For the counter petition to be successful, it must be signed by the owners of at least 50% plus one of the parcels of land subject to the local service levy. These parcels must also represent at least 50% of the total assessed value of the land and improvements subject to the local service levy.

The proposed local service consists of the provision of grants to the Abbotsford Downtown Business Improvement Area, a registered non-profit society, for the planning and implementation of a business promotion scheme as follows:

a) Carry out studies or reports regarding the BIA

b) Improve, beautify, or maintain streets, sidewalks, buildings, or structures in the BIA

c) Remove graffiti from buildings and other structures in the BIA

d) Preserve and enhance heritage property in the BIA

e) Encourage business in the BIA

The cost of this local service will be recovered by means of a property tax imposed by Abbotsford Downtown Business Improvement Area Bylaw, on all land and improvements classified as Class 5 (Light Industrial) and Class 6 (Business) within the Abbotsford Downtown Business Improvement Area, at the rates established by bylaw based on the assessed value of each property.

The Community Charter provides that the proposed BIA Bylaw amendment and levy increase will not proceed if more than one-half of the property owners in the area, representing properties with a combined value of more than one-half of the assessed value of the area, give notice in writing that they object to the proposal between September 12, 2025 and October 11, 2025 filling the form available at www.letstalkabbotsford.ca/BIA.

To submit a petition:

1. Petition forms are available for download, or in hard copy at Planning & Development Services, 2nd floor, City Hall (32315 South Fraser Way), Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM-4:00 PM (excluding statutory holidays).
   
   
2. Any person who is the owner of a property liable to be charged the levy may petition against the proposed BIA expansion during the 30-day period from September 12, 2025 and October 11, 2025
   
   
3. Petitions must be legible, signed by the owner(s) of the property liable to be charged the levy, and show the legal description of the property. Petition forms are available for download at www.letstalkabbotsford.ca/bia (Point your phone’s camera at the QR code below) or pick-up at the 2nd floor counter of City Hall (Planning & Development Services) between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Statutory Holidays).

The deadline for submitting a petition is October 11, 2025.

For questions, contact Planning Services at 604-864-5510 or coliveira@abbotsford.ca.

The area for the proposed local service is the Abbotsford Downtown Business Improvement Area a shown on the map included in Schedule “A” to the bylaw.

Only property owners with parcels highlighted orange on the map can petition against the bylaw.

The Abbotsford Downtown Business Association (ADBA) continues to play an active role in supporting the vitality of Historic Downtown. Through the Business Improvement Area (BIA) program, funds are directed toward initiatives such as local events, streetscape improvements, beautification, and business promotion efforts that contribute to a vibrant and welcoming downtown for residents, businesses, and visitors. These initiatives not only enhance the overall experience of the area but also help strengthen local economic activity by encouraging investment, attracting customers, and supporting the success of businesses.

The first counter-petition window for the proposed expansion of the Abbotsford Historic Downtown Business Improvement Area took place from July 10 to August 25, 2025. This stage provided property owners who would have been included in the expanded BIA boundary with an opportunity to register opposition to the proposed adjustments.

The process is moving forward, and the second counter petition window will open on September 12. During this stage, property owners within the red boundary shown on the map below will have the opportunity to register opposition to the proposed levy increase.

Details on how to participate, including petition period dates and instructions, will be posted on this page in the coming weeks. Information will also be published in the City Page of the Abbotsford News on September 4 and September 11 and mailed directly to the property owners.

Thank you to everyone who has engaged with the process so far.