Overview
Metro Vancouver collects development cost charges (DCCs) for new residential and non-residential developments in the region to pay for new liquid waste and water infrastructure needed to provide services to the future occupants of these buildings. These charges are defined in the bylaws of the legal entity responsible. There are currently two separate DCC charges, liquid waste and water, with a new parkland acquisition DCC to be introduced in January 2025.
Funding wastewater system expansion
Metro Vancouver collects Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for new residential and non-residential developments in the region to pay for new sanitary sewer works such as additional trunk lines, pumping stations, and wastewater treatment plant expansion that are needed to deliver wastewater services to the future residents of these buildings. These fees are defined in the Development Cost Charge Bylaw below. The Liquid Waste DCC will have new rates phased in over three years beginning January 1, 2025.
Calculating the development cost charges
DCCs are calculated based on the type of development and the location. The Lower Mainland is divided into four sewerage areas, Fraser, Lulu Island West, North Shore, and Vancouver.
For each sewerage area, the DCCs are based on four separate land use categories: residential (detached single-family, duplex and triplex), townhouse, apartment, and non-residential. Residential, townhouse, and apartment are charged per unit/dwelling, while non-residential developments ae charged per square foot.
View the Sewerage & Drainage Services GIS Map
Collecting the development cost charges
Local municipalities are responsible for collecting the charge. This is usually done at the subdivision approval stage for single-family residential developments and the building permit stage for other types of development.
Sewer DCC rates by sewerage area and land use category (effective:June 24, 2022 to December 31, 2024):
| Sewer Area | Residential | Townhouse | Apartment | Non-Residential |
|---|
| Fraser | $6,254 / unit | $5,390 / unit | $4,269 / unit | $3.30 / ft2 of floor area |
| Lulu Island West | $3,313 / unit | $2,756 / unit | $2,042 / unit | $1.54 / ft2 of floor area |
North Shore
| $3,300 / unit | $2,786 / unit | $2,030 / unit | $1.67 / ft2 of floor area |
| Vancouver | $3,335 / unit | $2,983 / unit | $1,988 / unit | $1.63 / ft2 of floor area
|
Effective Date: June 24, 2022
A list of DCC liquid waste capital growth projects can be found in the DCC Capital Growth Program 2021 Budget. The DCC rates include interest costs to finance the infrastructure projects.
Future DCC rates
Revised DCC rates effective January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2027
Liquid Waste DCC
| Assist Factor | Existing 17.5% | 16%
Jan 1, 2025 | 10%
Jan 1, 2026 | 1%
Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|
|
VSA |
| Residential Lot Development Unit | $3,335 | $10,498 | $11,290 | $12,476 |
| Townhouse Dwelling Unit | $2,983 | $9,593 | $10,316 | $11,400 |
Apartment Dwelling Unit
| $1,988 | $6,298 | $6,772 | $7,484 |
| Non-Residential (per square foot) | $1.63 | $5.30 | $5.70 | $6.30 |
|
NSSA |
| Residential Lot Development Unit | $3,300 | $9,760 | $10,478 | $11,557 |
| Townhouse Dwelling Unit | $2,786 | $8,996 | $9,658 | $10,652 |
| Apartment Dwelling Unit | $2,030 | $6,005 | $6,448 | $7,111 |
| Non-Residential (per square foot) | $1.67 | $5.00 | $5.37 | $5.92 |
|
LISA |
| Residential Lot Development Unit | $3,313 | $5,683 | $6,152 | $6,855 |
| Townhouse Dwelling Unit | $2,756 | $4,927 | $5,333 | $5,943 |
| Apartment Dwelling Unit | $2,042 | $3,516 | $3,806 | $4,241 |
| Non-Residential (per square foot) | $1.54 | $2.55 | $2.76 | $3.08 |
|
FSA |
| Residential Lot Development Unit | $6,254 | $11,443 | $12,311 | $13,613 |
| Townhouse Dwelling Unit | $5,390 | $10,015 | $10,775 | $11,914 |
| Apartment Dwelling Unit | $4,269 | $7,302 | $7,855 | $8,686 |
| Non-Residential (per square foot) | $3.30 | $5.41 | $5.82 | $6.43 |
A list of DCC liquid waste capital growth projects can be found in the DCC Capital Growth Program 2023 Budget. The above effective January 1, 2025 DCC rates include interest costs to finance the infrastructure projects.