Windsor property tax and budget, explained
Updated Nov. 1, 2026 · By Windsor News Desk
How Windsor's property tax and city budget work, in plain English, with every figure linked to a City of Windsor or provincial document. We update this page when the 2027 budget is tabled.
Did Windsor raise property taxes in 2026?
No, not the municipal rate. The 2026 approved budget has a 0% municipal tax levy increase (City news release). The total amount raised from property taxes still rose 1.20%, or $6,042,134, because new properties were added to the tax roll (assessment growth), not because of a rate increase (2026 Approved Operating Budget, sections C and E).
How big is Windsor's 2026 budget?
The net operating budget, the amount raised through property taxes including the education portion, is $510,999,029. The gross operating budget, everything the City spends to run services including grants and user fees, is $1,229,177,000. The 2026 capital budget for roads, sewers and buildings is $317,264,628 (2026 Approved Operating Budget, sections A and C).
Where does a Windsor property tax dollar go?
The biggest share is public safety: 37.4 cents of each dollar (police 23.1¢, fire 11.0¢, EMS 3.3¢). Then capital project funding 17.3¢, public health and social services 12.5¢, education and libraries 12.4¢, parks and recreation 7.5¢, public works 7.0¢, transit 4.7¢ and planning 1.3¢ (City breakdown, section D). See the full table on Where's my money?
What is the hospital levy, and how much does it raise?
On April 25, 2016, Windsor City Council voted 9-1 for a levy to cover 54%, or $108.5 million, of the local share of the new Windsor-Essex hospital system; Essex County covers the other 46% (Windsor Regional Hospital, Local Share). The City's 2026 budget shows the hospital tax levy raising $3,875,000, the same as in 2025 (account 6099, Corporate Accounts, page 172 of the 2026 Approved Operating Budget). The final year of collection is not yet published: Windsor News asked the City on Oct. 9, 2026 (our story).
When is Windsor's 2027 budget?
Not before Jan. 1, 2027. Under O. Reg. 530/22, as amended by O. Reg. 189/26 (in force June 22, 2026), a strong mayor can propose the budget for the year after an election only in that year. The mayor must propose it by Feb. 1; council then has 30 days to amend, the mayor 10 days to veto, and council 15 days to override with a two-thirds vote (O. Reg. 530/22; our story). The 2026 budget was tabled under Mayoral Decision 26-2025.
Can I get property tax relief?
Owners whose property was damaged, demolished or became vacant can apply under sections 357 and 358 of the Municipal Act. Council considers the 2025 applications on Nov. 9, 2026 (agenda item 8.1). How to apply is in our Nov. 1 story.
Related
- Where's my money? The 2026 budget, line by line
- Budget lines we are watching
- Council meeting tracker
Sources
- City of Windsor, 2026 Approved Operating Budget (PDF)
- City of Windsor, 2026 Approved Budget news release
- Windsor Regional Hospital, Local Share
- Ontario, O. Reg. 530/22 and O. Reg. 189/26
- City of Windsor, Mayoral Decision 26-2025
This page uses only City, hospital and provincial documents. Anything we could not confirm is marked "not yet published". Questions or errors: windsornewsdesk@gmail.com.