City of Nanaimo Service and Resource Centre (SARC) – Nanaimo, BC

Service and Resource Centre (SARC)

The Service and Resource Centre (SARC) is the main public service hub for the City of Nanaimo. Conveniently located on Dunsmuir Street, just a short walk from City Hall, this modern facility consolidates the city’s most frequently accessed departments into a single ”one-stop” location. It is the primary destination for residents and business owners needing to conduct municipal transactions.

Payments and Inquiries

The SARC features a large customer service area handling a variety of financial and administrative tasks:

• Property Taxes & Utilities: Payments for property taxes, water user rates, and garbage collection fees can be made here.
• Licensing: Issuance and renewal of dog licenses and business licenses.
• Fines: Payment of municipal tickets and bylaw fines.

The Permit Centre

Located on the main floor, the Permit Centre assists with all development and construction needs. Staff from the Planning, Development, and Building Inspection departments are available to help with:

• Building Permits: Applications for new construction, renovations, and tenant improvements.
• Zoning & Development: Information on land use, zoning bylaws, and subdivision applications.

Location Services

The centre is wheelchair accessible and located near the downtown transit exchange. ⚠️ Tip: While drop-ins are welcome, checking the city website for wait times or booking an appointment for complex building permit inquiries is recommended.