Hornby Island
FAQs
Below you will find answers to questions we are
commonly asked here at hornbyrealestate.com. If
you do not find the information you are looking
for please contact us
with your question.
A. Real Estate on Hornby Island
What costs will I have to cover in addition
to the price of the property I purchase?
When you purchase Hornby Island real estate, you
will be responsible for most, if not all, of the
following costs:
- Property purchase tax
- Annual property taxes
- Bank appraisal
- Water tests
- Septic inspection
- Fire and liability insurance
- Legal fees
- GST (goods and services tax)— applies
only to some properties
If you would like to know more about these fees,
or would like our recommendations for local providers
of these services, please contact us.
Do I need a building permit to begin construction
on my land?
On Hornby Island, building permits are not required.
Hornby land however is subject to the land use bylaws
of the Islands Trust. These bylaws regulate the
use of land, location and size of buildings. To
begin building on your new property you will need
to obtain siting and use permits from the Islands
Trust. It is recommended that you research the land
use bylaws and how they apply to the piece of property
you are considering, and have Health Department
approval for a septic field before you close your
purchase.
How many homes can I build on my land?
All land on Hornby Island is zoned, and with only
a few minor exceptions, only one dwelling is permitted
on each parcel.
What type of water supply will I use on
my Hornby property?
As the watershed of Hornby is the Island itself,
it’s no surprise that water usage is a concern.
Almost all domestic water on Hornby Island is pumped
from individual private wells. There are also three
small water systems using wells. The only water
available for use is the water that accumulates
in the bedrock from rainfall. In the summer, when
rain is scarce, water is in much higher demand by
residents and tourists. As a result, water conservation
is widely promoted.
Your source of water will most likely come from
drilled deep wells, shallow dug wells or a cooperative
water system. Some homes successfully collect rain
water in cisterns as well. Before buying land on
Hornby Island, investigate the property’s
current water source and have it tested. We can
recommend a technician to assist you in this process.
What do I need to know about septic systems?
Most buyers want indoor plumbing. This means an
approved sewage and gray water disposal system.
To install a system, you must apply for a permit
and pay an administration fee of $250. The Ministry
of Environmental Health issues these permits. You
can contact them in nearby Cumberland, B.C. at (250)
336-3202 if you have any questions about the permits
or sewage systems in general.
B. Visiting Hornby Island
How do I get to Hornby Island?
Hornby Island is accessible by BC Ferries, from
Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island: one ferry to Denman
Island followed by a scenic 20 minute drive across
to Denman’s east coast, then another ferry
to Hornby Island. The total time of the trip from
Buckley Bay is just under an hour.
Buckley Bay is on Vancouver Island’s eastern
shores, about an 80 minute drive north of the port
city of Nanaimo, and 20 minutes south of Courtenay,
B.C. The drive from Victoria to Buckley Bay takes
2 ½ hours. Both Nanaimo and Victoria are
accessible from Vancouver through BC Ferries.
If you require accommodations during your stay
on Hornby, be sure to check our Hornby
Island Directory.
Can I get a taxi on Hornby Island?
There is no public transportation on Hornby Island
or across Denman Island to the Hornby ferry. Cycling
is a popular mode of transportation on the Island.
Bicycle and scooter rentals are available.
Are there cash machines on Hornby Island?
There are two cash machines on Hornby Island: one
at the Union Bay Credit Union at Shingle Spit (ferry
dock), and one inside the Hornby Co-op store.
Can I purchase liquor on Hornby Island?
There are two small liqor agents on Hornby Island:
one at the Thatch Pub at Shingle Spit, and one inside
the Hornby Co-op store.
Top of page ^
|
