The City of Vernon’s top priority is the health and safety of our citizens, visitors and employees. In response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation in BC, the City of Vernon has implemented several new and updated measures to maintain City services, help contain the spread of infection in our community, and continue providing a healthy and safe work environment for our employees.
In the North Okanagan, the Interior Health Authority (IHA) is the lead agency in response to the community impact of the COVID-19 virus. To help slow and contain the spread of COVID-19, the City continues to follow the direction and guidance of B.C.'s Provincial Health Officer (Dr. Bonnie Henry), senior levels of government, WorkSafe BC, viaSport and the BC Recreation and Parks Association.
Latest City updates on COVID-19
The City of Vernon has implemented several actions to help contain the spread of COVID-19 in the North Okanagan, as well as support our community during this difficult time.
The City of Vernon has installed a number of 10-minute loading zones for curbside pick-up throughout the Downtown. These will be in place until May 31, 2021.
Curbside pick-up zones are intended for customers of nearby restaurants, retailers, and other businesses that are utilizing curbside pick-up. If you need to stay longer than 10 minutes, please park elsewhere.
Requests for additional curbside pick-up locations on other streets in the Downtown Business Improvement Area should be emailed to eng@vernon.ca.
Curbside pick-up zones are marked by signs and their parking metres have been bagged. The exact locations can be found on the City’s interactive map.
MAP OF LOCATIONS
In recognition of current provincial COVID-19 guidelines for physical distancing, Council has approved temporary measures for businesses to expand commercial uses into adjacent public spaces.
Until October 31, 2021, businesses located within the downtown Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are able to expand their business operations onto sidewalks. Between March 1 - October 31, 2021, businesses located in the BIAs are also able to use a single on-street parking stall to create pop-up patios or for retail use.
Further, businesses throughout the city that have adjacent private parking lots are allowed to expand their commercial uses in up to 25% of their required parking spaces until October 31, 2021.
To participate in the Temporary Outdoor Commercial Uses program, businesses are required to enter into a Use Agreement with the City and follow a set of guidelines, but will not need to get a permit or pay a fee.
Use of public parking spaces and sidewalks
Process for using public parking space or sidewalks:
- Download and review guidelines
- Complete Licence of Occupation, including site plan (not table layout just an outline of space to be used)
- Submit Licence of Occupation, site plan and proof of insurance by email to buildingcounter@vernon.ca or in person at the Community Services Building
Use of private parking lots
Process for use of private parking lots:
- Download and review guidelines
- Complete Use Agreement, including site plan (not table layout just an outline of space to be used)
- Submit use Agreement and site plan by email to buildingcounter@vernon.ca or in person at the Community Services Building
2020 Property Taxes: Council amended the 2020 property tax structure to provide assistance for residential property owners. The changes are as follows:
- 2020 City of Vernon property taxes are due July 2, 2020, with a 10% penalty applied to unpaid taxes as of October 1, 2020;
- An automatic, one-time municipal tax grant was established for residential property owners, equivalent to 3.2% of the municipal portion of the 2020 Property Tax Notice; and
- There will be no change in the proportion of tax revenue between property classes from 2019 to 2020.
2020 First quarter utility bills: Council waived all interest charges for the first quarterly utility billing period (which runs January to March 2020). Utility bills for this period were mailed in April. Normally, the due date for the first quarter bill would be mid-May, after which any unpaid balances would be subject to interest charges. However, the waiving of interest charges for this period provided more time for customers to pay their bill if they needed it.
Metered and two-hour parking: Council suspended bylaw enforcement of on-street metered and two-hour parking zones until July 1, 2020, with the exception of enforcement related to safety issues. The temporary change was intended to encourage people to use the Downtown and access businesses that remained open.
City of Vernon outdoor facilities are open. Indoor facilities are now available for booking. As updates and new information are provided by the Provincial Health Officer and viaSport, some recreation programming and activities may need to be temporarily paused, cancelled or updated.
Greater Vernon Recreation Services is working closely with viaSport, the BC Recreation & Parks Association, and local organizations to develop, review and update a framework for safely participating in activities, programs and recreation opportunities in a way that will allow for participation while meeting the criteria that BC's Provincial Health Officer has outlined. Please visit our Recreation Services pages to learn about our Safe Reopening and our programming updates.
In accordance with the order of the Provincial Health Officer, members of the public are required to wear a non-medical mask to cover their mouth and nose while inside all City-operated facilities.
City Hall, the Community Services Building, Bylaw Compliance Office, Community Safety Office, and City Operations are open to the public. Apparatus has been installed in all City facilities to maintain proper physical distancing between staff and members of the public, as well as between staff members. Hand washing stations, plexiglass dividers, marked positions for queuing, and increased cleaning protocols have been put in place.
Signage has also been installed at all City facilities to provide information on COVID-19, how to practice physical distancing and reminders about how we can keep each other safe.
Members of the public are asked to call or email instead of visiting a City facility, if possible.
If you are sick, have been around someone who is sick, or have travelled outside the country within the last 14 days, please do not enter a City facility.
To help reduce touch points in the community, the City is asking customers to avoid cash and coin payments, and instead use options such as cheque, Interac or credit card. We recognize this may not be possible for all customers, but we do strongly encourage the following forms of payment at our facilities:
- City Hall or Community Services Building: cheque or Interac
- Bylaw Office: cheque, Interac, or online with Visa or Mastercard if paying a ticket
- Vernon Regional Airport: cheque, Interac, Visa or Mastercard
On June 22, 2021, B.C.’s Provincial Health Officer (PHO) amended a Health Order regarding gatherings and events. The amended Order now allows members of the public (including the media) to attend City Council meetings and public hearings, within a defined set of parameters. The amended Order requires:
- a maximum number of people who may be gathered at one time, generally determined by physical distancing;
- attendees to observe appropriate physical distancing, wear masks, and be seated/remain seated;
- attendees to provide their name and contact information for contact tracing; and
- hand sanitation supplies and washroom facilities to be provided.
Based on the requirement to physically distance attendees, the maximum number of people who may be in the Vernon Council Chambers at one time is 23. This includes members of Council, Administration, staff, and public.
If members of the public would like to attend a Regular Council meeting, the limited number of seats available will be first come, first served.
Until further notice, public hearings will now take place at the Dogwood Gymnasium at the Vernon Recreation Centre. A maximum of 50 people may be gathered in the room at one time, under the same conditions listed above.
For those who cannot attend a scheduled meeting, the City of Vernon video records all Council meetings and public hearings and makes them available on the City’s website. Afternoon sessions are live-streamed and Committee of the Whole meetings are available by Noon the day following the meeting.
For more information on Council meetings, the public hearing process, and the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.vernon.ca.
The following information has been provided by BC Transit.
In accordance with the order of the Provincial Health Officer, members of the public are required to wear a non-medical mask to cover their mouth and nose while using public transit.
In addition to the mandatory face coverings policy, Vernon Regional Transit has implemented the following protocols:
- Enhanced cleaning on buses and at BC Transit facilities.
- Communication to staff and customers about physical distancing procedures.
- Limiting passenger capacity to support physical distancing.
- Enhancing the red line for passengers to stand behind.
- Vinyl panels on light duty buses.
On March 26, the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General announced that under section 9 (1) of the Emergency Program Act, Bylaw enforcement officers are to provide assistance “as may be required for the purposes of enforcing public health orders.”
According to the Order, the assistance provided by Bylaw officers may include:
- Monitoring facilities and areas closed to the public by a public health order;
- Providing warnings, information and advice to businesses and members of the public in respect of public health orders, including warnings to businesses and members of the public who may be acting in contravention of a public health order;
- Providing health officers with information in respect of potential contraventions of a public health order.
Under the Order, Bylaw officers are not authorized to:
- Detain an individual as a result of a contravention or suspected contravention of a public health order, or
- Issue a fine or penalty, including an administrative penalty, under the Public Health Act.
If Bylaw officers observe a possible contravention of a public health order (such as a large gathering of people), they may provide members of the public with education and verbal warnings, but then must report the possible contravention to the Provincial Health Authority for any further action.
Further details on Ministerial Order No. M082 are available here: http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/mo/mo/2020_m082.
Members of the public are asked to call or email, and ONLY come in to a City facility to drop off materials that are not practical to email, make a payment, or pick up a building permit.
In order to protect our Building Inspectors:
- Building inspections continue, except for inspections that occur in a finished or occupied building.
- Screening questions will be asked at the time of scheduling inspections to ensure adequate physical distancing measures are in place.
- In accordance with requirements of the Provincial Health Officer, building inspectors will be wearing masks while conducting business and when appropriate physical distancing (2m) cannot be maintained.
In-person, City sponsored public engagement events have been cancelled until further notice.
We encourage you to visit our online public engagement hub, www.engagevernon.ca, to learn about current engagement opportunities and upcoming projects.
Council and Administration are encouraging residents to use online services,telephone calls, or email to contact City staff whenever possible. Online City services include:
- MyCity – view your City accounts and obtain past bills (property taxes, utilities, business licenses) online 24/7
- eBilling - receive your quarterly utility bill electronically
- Paying for business license
- Paying for municipal tickets
- Ticket appeal and dispute
- Business license search
- Address changes
View all recent City of Vernon notices and media releases.
August 2021
- New health restrictions extended throughout Interior Health region - August 20, 2021
- Face coverings mandatory in transit systems operating in Interior Health region - August 20, 2021
June 2021
- Public attendance allowed to resume at Council meetings - June 25, 2021
March 2021
- Group indoor fitness activities temporarily paused in accordance with Health Order - March 29, 2021
- Mayor's statement on the National Day of Observance for COVID-19 - March 11, 2021
February 2021
- Downtown curbside pick-up locations extended - February 23, 2021
- Mayor's statement on continued efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19 - February 5, 2021
January 2021
- Activate your winter! City endorses the use of portable propane fire pits in Polson Park - January 26, 2021
December 2020
- Public attendance at Council meetings paused in accordance with health order - December 8, 2020
- Curbside pick-up locations come to Downtown Vernon - December 1, 2020
November 2020
- Masks required in City-operated facilities - November 20, 2020
- Please wear masks in City-operated public spaces - November 12, 2020
October 2020
- Council extends opportunity to activate outdoor spaces - October 29, 2020
August 2020
- Next steps in a safe return to sport - August 27, 2020
July 2020
- A safe return to outdoor sport in Vernon - July 9, 2020
June 2020
- Outdoor pools and Kal Tire Place North arena to open in July - June 25, 2020
- Paid parking at on-street meters to resume July 2 - June 24, 2020
- Downtown pedestrian crossing automation changes - June 5, 2020
- Residents encouraged to participate in National Health and Fitness Day June 6 - June 5, 2020
- Greater Vernon Recreation summer camp registration open online - June 4, 2020
May 2020
- City of Vernon reviews steps taken to remain open during pandemic - May 29, 2020
- Council enables businesses to temporarily activate outdoor space to support physical distancing - May 28, 2020
- City of Vernon outdoor playgrounds to open June 1 - May 28, 2020
- Mayor Cumming wishes everyone a safe and enjoyable long weekend - May 15, 2020
- Pickleball courts to open Friday with safety reminders in place - May 14, 2020
- Message from Mayor Cumming on Mother's Day - May 8, 2020
- City reviewing BC's Restart Plan for recreation opportunities - May 8, 2020
- An open letter to Premier Horgan, Minister Dix and Dr. Henry from Mayor Victor Cumming on COVID-19 and economic recovery - May 5, 2020
- BC Transit enhancing safety measures to allow for front door loading and regular fare collection - May 4, 2020
April 2020
- Council approves changes for 2020 Property Taxes, Public Input and metered parking enforcement - April 28, 2020
- Open burning ban continues in City of Vernon - April 22, 2020
- Additional safety measures implemented for Q1 utility bill payments - April 20, 2020
- Council provides relief for 2020 municipal tax payments - April 15, 2020
- Business resources, utility bills and cash payments - April 9, 2020
- Preparing for a safe Easter long weekend - April 8, 2020
- Statement from Mayor Victor Cumming on following Health Authority directives - April 8, 2020
- Changes implemented for spring league play, public washrooms, and Visitor Information Centre - April 3, 2020
- Council implements changes to ease financial burden on citizens and businesses - April 1, 2020
March 2020
- Downtown pedestrian crossings automated to reduce touch points - March 30, 2020
- Bylaw Enforcement Officer assistance - March 30, 2020
- Open burn permits cancelled in Vernon - March 27, 2020
- City of Vernon maintains continuity in development approvals - March 27, 2020
- BC Transit to limit number of passengers for physical distancing - March 27, 2020
- City parks, Council meetings, business resources, recycling - March 24, 2020
- Help protect First Responders in midst of COVID-19 concerns - March 22, 2020
- City of Vernon responds to closure of recreation facilities - March 21, 2020
- City of Vernon update on response to COVID-19 - March 20, 2020
- City of Vernon still open for business, maintaining infrastructure and continuing with development projects - March 19, 2020
- City of Vernon closes recreation facilities, moves public engagement activities online in response to growing COVID-19 concerns - March 17, 2020
- Statement from Mayor Victor Cumming on the ongoing COVID-19 situation - March 16, 2020
- City of Vernon takes action to prevent spread of infection in City facilities - March 15, 2020
- Several public events cancelled at Vernon recreation facilities following direction from Provincial Health Officer - March 13, 2020
- Statement from Mayor Victor Cumming on Coronavirus (COVID-19) - March 13, 2020
Where can I find reliable COVID-19 information?
1-888-COVID19 (1-888-268-4319)
This phone line is open seven days a week, from 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. PST- Dial 811 for COVID and non-COVID health information from the Province of B.C.
- Interior Health Authority: news.interiorhealth.ca/covid-19/
- BC Centre for Disease Control: covid-19.bccdc.ca
- B.C. Ministry of Health and HealthLinkBC: healthlinkbc.ca
- Public Health Agency of Canada COVID-19 page: Canada.ca/en/public-health
- World Health Organization: who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
- For the latest news from the Government of B.C., visit news.gov.bc.ca.
- For the latest news from the B.C. Ministry of Health, visit news.gov.bc.ca/ministries/health.
- For the latest news from the Government of Canada, visit Canada.ca/en/news.
- For the latest news from the Public Health Agency of Canada, visit Canada.ca/en/public-health.
Download the BC COVID-19 App for updates, critical alerts, a self-assessment tool and resources from public health.
Download the Canada COVID-19 App to track your symptoms, receive the latest updates, and access trusted resources.
Resources for local businesses and workers
In recognition of current provincial COVID-19 guidelines for physical distancing, Council has approved temporary measures for businesses to expand commercial uses into adjacent public spaces.
Until October 31, 2021, businesses located within the downtown Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) are able to expand their business operations onto sidewalks. Between March 1 - October 31, 2021, businesses located in the BIAs are also able to use a single on-street parking stall to create pop-up patios or for retail use.
Further, businesses throughout the city that have adjacent private parking lots are allowed to expand their commercial uses in up to 25% of their required parking spaces until October 31, 2021.
Businesses are required to enter into a Use Agreement with the City and follow a set of guidelines, but will not need to get a permit or pay a fee.
Use of public parking spaces and sidewalks
Process for using public parking space or sidewalks:
- Download and review guidelines
- Complete Licence of Occupation, including site plan (not table layout just an outline of space to be used)
- Submit Licence of Occupation, site plan and proof of insurance by email to buildingcounter@vernon.ca or in person at the Community Services Building
Use of private parking lots
Process for use of private parking lots:
- Download and review guidelines
- Complete Use Agreement, including site plan (not table layout just an outline of space to be used)
- Submit use Agreement and site plan by email to buildingcounter@vernon.ca or in person at the Community Services Building
The Government of British Columbia has announced BC's Restart Plan - a four-phase approach for the recovery stage of the COVID-19 pandemic, which includes guidelines to help us keep each other safe and continue suppressing the transmission of the virus.
You can find the full plan on the Province's website, including details on which sectors and facilities may reopen during each phase and how businesses can develop safe operation plans with WorkSafeBC.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is helping local businesses find resources and build connections to navigate the impacts of COVID-19. The Chamber is part of the #NOKTogether hub and Vision North Okanagan, and is a partner in programs such as RELAUNCH Vernon and #OKwegotthis.
The Downtown Vernon Association (DVA) is helping Downtown businesses find resources and build connections to navigate the impacts of COVID-19. The DVA is part of the #NOKTogether hub and Vision North Okanagan, and has resources available on its website for employers and employees.
Community Futures North Okanagan (CFNO) is helping North Okanagan businesses find resources and build connections to navigate the impacts of COVID-19. Community Futures is part of Vision North Okanagan.
CFNO is also helping businesses with emergency loan funding. Find more information here.
Resources for seniors, mental health and wellness
Dial 211 if you are a senior looking for help (or are a volunteer willing to help).
BC 211 matches the needs of seniors who need support with non-medical essentials to volunteers in the community. Register at bc211.ca or call 211.
The service is available for seniors (65+) who need help with:
- Grocery shopping and delivery
- Meal preparation and delivery
- Prescription pickup and delivery
- Phone and/or virtual friendly visits
- Mental Health Info Line: 1-800-661-2121
- Interior Crisis Line: 1-888-353-2273
- BC Crisis Line: 1-800-784-2433
- Kids' Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868
The Vernon branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association is available to help with COVID-19 tips and resources.
This website provides information and resources to help reduce anxiety, get a better night’s sleep, and manage uncertainty: Anxietycanada.com