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Development Cost Charge Program Update

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​Overview

Updating Metro Vancouver’s Development Cost Charge​ Program (2025 – 2027)

Metro Vancouver is in the regular process of updating its Development Cost Charge (DCC) program, while also considering current social, political, and economic circumstances. This work is being integrated with the regular review and update of Metro Vancouver’s Capital Plan, which will inform the proposed DCC rates to be presented at the May 2026 Board Meeting. The current revision began in 2025 and will continue through 2027, with new rates taking effect in 2028. Drivers for this update include:

  • Commitment to continuous improvement and assessment of Metro Vancouver’s DCC program
  • Adjustments to the capital plan based on updated population and dwelling unit estimates
  • Changing policy and legislative landscape (e.g. new definitions for different housing types)
  • Commitments to the provincial and federal governments
  • Feedback from the development community

 

 

Project 1: Expand the Affordable Housing DCC Waiver to include inclusionary unitsProject 1: Expand the Affordable Housing DCC Waiver to include inclusionary units<div class="ExternalClassC53DC58B1DAB40458ECCB333861F5429"><p> <strong>Objective:</strong></p><p>Update the Affordable Housing DCC Waiver program and explore whether this waiver program should be expanded to include affordable housing units being delivered by the private sector (e.g. inclusionary housing units). ​<br></p></div>
Project 2: Review and update DCC categories and definitionsProject 2: Review and update DCC categories and definitions<div class="ExternalClassF76C17A9E04E452087E75BE2F661893B"><p> <strong>Objective:</strong></p><p>Refine housing and non-residential categories and definitions to better reflect evolving housing forms and sizes. This will include: </p><ul><li>​Updating residential housing types and consider unit types such as multiplex development and purpose-built rentals.</li><li>Expanding the “non-residential use” categories to better account for different infrastructure demands of different land uses, including consideration of a separate rate and category for agricultural development.</li><li>Introducing rates for agricultural developments (typically greenhouses) designed to result in a low environmental impact.</li></ul><p>The engagement program for this project focuses on hearing from industry, agriculture, and member jurisdictions. Input will inform the policy options brought forward to the Board for consideration.</p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/about-us/Documents/dcc-revisions-program-project-2-fact-sheet.pdf" title="Project 2 Fact Sheet – Metro Vancouver’s DCC Revisions Program">Project 2 Fact Sheet – Metro Vancouver’s DCC Revisions Program</a></li></ul></div>
Project 3: Update DCC program in 2027Project 3: Update DCC program in 2027<div class="ExternalClass5299D0E9410D47248D5B4B2D117ACC8E"><p> <strong>Objective:</strong></p><p>Update Metro Vancouver’s DCC program based on integrating updated population and dwelling unit projections into the capital program, and incorporating any changes to categories from the update to DCC categories and definitions.</p><p>The engagement program for this project focuses on hearing from Metro Vancouver Boards, Committees, Advisory Committees, member jurisdictions, the Province, and industry. Input will inform the policy options brought forward to the Board for consideration. ​<br></p></div>
Project 4: Develop a regional economic model for development charges analysisProject 4: Develop a regional economic model for development charges analysis<div class="ExternalClassBECA9858FEAB42D4B5463646C165E1EB"><p> <strong>Objective:</strong></p><p>Establish a standardized approach to analyzing the financial impact of regional and, where possible, local development charges across the region. </p><p>Metro Vancouver will establish this process in collaboration with member jurisdictions and the development community.​<br></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> ​<a href="/boards/Finance/FIN-2025-10-08-AGE.pdf#page=157">Staff Report on Scope of Work for DCC Project 4 - New Regional Economic Analysis Model​</a>, October 31, 2025</li></ul>​​ </div>
Project 5: Adjustments to administration of the DCCs Project 5: Adjustments to administration of the DCCs <div class="ExternalClass51B42264866242A58BAC184A6600A488"><p> <strong>Objective:</strong></p><p>Work with the development industry, member jurisdictions, and the Province to explore ways to reduce potential impacts of the DCC program on development. Considerations include extending in-stream protection and adjusting the timing of DCC collection. Implementing these measures will require provincial involvement and changes to legislation.​<br></p></div>

Engagement​

 

 

Project 2: Review and update DCC categories and definitionsProject 2: Review and update DCC categories and definitions<div class="ExternalClass2A14B795E9D44B67BCA77E58A6F9D72A"><h3>Proposed DCC definition and category updates</h3><p>From July 10 to July 31, 2025, Metro Vancouver gathered feedback on proposed DCC definition and category updates. Metro Vancouver sent out a survey and held two workshops with representatives from industry and municipal staff. Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts.</p><p>Metro Vancouver’s Boards endorsed updates to Development Cost Charge categories and definitions on October 3, 2025.​​​<br></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file" aria-hidden="true"></i></span> ​<a href="/boards/GVRD/RD-2025-10-03-AGE.pdf#page=533" target="_blank">Staff Report on Recommended Updates to Metro Vancouver Development Cost Charge Categories and Definitions</a>​, October 3, 2025 (starts page 533)</li></ul>​​ <h3>DCC rates on agricultural developments designed to result in a low environmental impact</h3><p>From March 6 to March 20, 2025, Metro Vancouver engaged with the agricultural sector through a survey and online information session to get feedback on a proposed interim DCC reduction bylaw for intensive agriculture developments designed to result in a low environmental impact.​<br></p><p>Two interim waiver/reduction bylaws were approved by the Metro Vancouver Boards on May 23, 2025. More information <a href="/about-us/Pages/development-cost-charges.aspx" target="_blank">available here​</a> under ‘New in 2025’. ​<br></p></div>

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