When you vote for Mayor and City Council, what are you actually choosing them to oversee?
Municipal government is responsible for many of the services Abbotsford residents use every day — from the roads we drive on to the parks we visit and the water coming into our homes.
Here’s a quick look at what falls under the City of Abbotsford.
Roads & Transportation
The City is responsible for local roads, including:
- Road maintenance and potholes
- Snow removal on City roads
- Traffic calming
- Traffic signals and street lighting
- Sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure
Important: Provincial highways — including highways that run through Abbotsford — are a Provincial Government responsibility.
Police & Fire
The City provides funding for local public-safety services, including:
- Abbotsford Police
- Abbotsford Fire Rescue Service
- Fire prevention and related permits
Development, Building & Planning
The City plays a major role in how Abbotsford grows and develops through:
- Zoning and community planning
- Development permits
- Building permits
- Business licences
- Subdivision and development requirements
- Tree removal and other City permits
City decisions can affect where and how development happens, including permitted land uses, density and other development requirements.
Municipal Property Taxes & City Budget
City Council approves the City’s financial plan and sets municipal property tax rates.
Those municipal dollars help pay for services such as police, fire, roads, parks, recreation and infrastructure.
But there’s an important distinction: the City does not determine your property’s assessed value. That’s done by BC Assessment.
The City also collects some taxes on behalf of other organizations and levels of government. Council does not control those outside levies.
Parks, Recreation & Community Facilities
The City is responsible for many of the places residents use for recreation and community life, including:
- Parks, trails and playgrounds
- Recreation facilities
- Cemeteries
- City-owned community infrastructure
Water, Sewer & Infrastructure
The City is responsible for essential local infrastructure and services, including:
- Water supply and billing
- Sewer
- Stormwater and drainage
- Local infrastructure
- Solid waste collection
These are some of the basic services residents rely on every day.
Bylaws, Licences & Permits
The City establishes and enforces local bylaws and administers many licences and permits, including:
- Business licences
- Building and development permits
- Special-event permits
- Burn permits
- Filming permits
- Various road and construction permits
What DOESN’T City Council Control?
Not every issue affecting Abbotsford is controlled by City Hall.
PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT
Responsible for areas including:
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
Responsible for areas including:
SCHOOL BOARD
Responsible for areas including:
The Province, however, sets the school curriculum.
FRASER VALLEY REGIONAL DISTRICT
Responsible for certain regional services, including:
Why It Matters
Understanding which level of government is responsible for an issue can help you evaluate what candidates are promising.
When a candidate makes a commitment, ask a simple question:
Is this something City Council can actually do?
Source: City of Abbotsford — Looking Ahead to the 2026 Municipal Election / Who Does What?
Additional Source: City of Abbotsford — Property Taxes