Proposed Amendments to Air Quality Management Fees Bylaw

Metro Vancouver charges regulatory fees on authorized air emissions to recover regulatory program costs and encourage emission reductions. ​MVRD Air Quality Management Fees Regulation Bylaw No. 1330, 2021 (MVRD Bylaw No. 1330, 2021) established these fees to support Metro Vancouver in delivering the service of regional air quality management.​

Adjusting the proposed amendments - November 2025

We’re listening. Metro Vancouver staff are working to adjust the proposed amendments based on input from the engagement, further research, competitiveness with other jurisdictions, and consideration of current economic conditions. 

Key adjustments to the proposed amendments that are under consideration include: 

• Reducing* the cap on application fees for air quality permits and approvals that was initially proposed. Staff are also considering a further reduction to the cap on application fees for businesses whose existing permits or approvals are expiring.
• Clarifying the rules for calculating fees for air contaminants that fall into multiple categories to avoid double-counting. 
• Moving more gradually toward recovering costs for regulating odorous air contaminants from businesses discharging these air contaminants. 
• Simplifying the framework for odorous air contaminants and focusing on those that can be assessed with published measurement methods. 

*​ The March 2025 discussion paper proposed a cap of $450,000 on the permit application fee. The adjustments under consideration in November 2025 are a cap of $250,000 for a new permit and $125,000 for a permit that would authorize emissions from a facility that has an expiring permit. These application fee caps are for the largest emitters. In Metro Vancouver, 85% of application fees for permits are less than $10,000.​

Initial proposed amendments – March 2025

The amendments to MVRD Bylaw No. 1330, 2021 that are under consideration aim to provide clarity to permittees, balance cost recovery and environmental protection, consider affordability, and align with federal and provincial legislation. The initial proposed amendments are described in a discussion paper (May 2025) and summarized below. (Note: Since the publication of the discussion paper, staff are considering adjustments to the proposed amendments based on feedback and other information.)

• Discussion Paper (May 2025)
  
• Discussion Paper Summary (May 2025)
  

​Public opinion research​

Metro Vancouver has conducted research to gauge public opinion about how air quality management services should be funded. The findings of this research were that a majority of respondents (80%) believed that businesses emitting pollutants should pay most or all of the costs for regulating those emissions. Furthermore, the vast majority (92%) felt that fees should be scaled in accordance with the amount and degree of harm of the pollutants discharged.

Next steps

​​​A report for the MVRD Board from May 2025 provides further information. Staff will present a recommendation to the MVRD Board in 2026. This will include the proposed amendments, and a summary of input and how it was considered​.

Engagement​

Thank you to everyone who submitted feedback through the online feedback form, webinar series, discussions, and correspondence. Potential amendments are being adjusted based on input from the engagement, research, competitiveness with other jurisdictions, and consideration of current economic conditions.​​

Your input matters:

• Your feedback will help shape an effective and practical bylaw
• Your experience will help identify feasible solutions and reasonable regulatory fees

Comments or questions are welcome:

• Email
• ​604-432-6200​​