Fire Services Act, Sections 22 And 23

Fire Services Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 144

The fire commissioner may inspect premises and make an order with respect to the condition of the premises and any precautions the owner must take against fire hazard. If the premises are unoccupied and either the owner is absent from the province or the owner’s whereabouts are unknown, the fire commissioner may carry out the order and provide a certificate of costs to the municipality in which the premises are located or to the surveyor of taxes. Under s. 23, the municipality must pay the certified costs to the fire commissioner.

• Nature of Interest: Where a municipality pays the certified costs, the amount paid forms a special charge on the land and improvements in favour of the municipality. Where the land is located in a rural area, the costs form a lien and charge in favour of the government.
• Effect of Interest: Where land is located in a municipality, the amount paid constitutes delinquent taxes from the date of payment. Where land is located in a rural area, costs constitute delinquent taxes from the date of the certificate.
• Procedures for Enforcement: See s. 250 of the Community Charter at chapter 51 (Local Government Legislation) and s. 30 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act at chapter 61 (Taxation (Rural Area) Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 448) with respect to the collection and recovery of delinquent taxes.