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Regional Water Development Cost Charge

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​Overview​​​​

Metro Vancouver’s DCC Program Metro Vancouver collects development cost charges (DCCs) to recover the costs of regional growth-related infrastructure (water, wastewater, and regional park land acquisition) that is needed to support our growing population.​

Funding water system expansion

Most local governments have DCCs for growth driven costs to expand local infrastructure (roads, drainage, water, sewer, parks). Without DCCs, larger water infrastructure, such as water treatment facilities, reservoirs, water mains and pump stations – would primarily be paid for through utility fees and property taxes. DCCs substantially pay for the cost of the infrastructure driven by growth needed to service our region.

Calculating the development cost charges

DCCs are calculated based on the type of development. The water DCC has only one fee structure for the one regional water system (while the liquid waste DCC has four different fee structures aligning with the four sewerage areas in the region).​

DCCs are based on four separate land use categories: residential lot development unit (detached single-family, duplex and triplex), townhouse, apartment, and non-residential. Residential, townhouse, and apartment are charged per unit/dwelling, while non-residential developments are charged per square foot.​

 

 

Development Cost Charge Bylaw effective January 1, 2025https://metrovancouver.org/boards/Bylaws/GVWD_Bylaw_257_Consolidated.pdf, Development Cost Charge Bylaw effective January 1, 2025Development Cost Charge Bylaw effective January 1, 2025

Collecting the DCC

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.

Water DCC rates by land use category (effective January 1, 2025).​

Assist Factor​​
Jan 1, 2025
45%
Jan 1, 2026
​15%
Jan 1, 2027
1%
Residential Lot Development Unit $10,952​$16,926$19,714
Townhouse Dwelling Unit $9,839$15,206$17,710
Apartment Dwelling Unit $6,791$10,495$12,223
Non-Residential (per square foot) $5.30$8.19$9.54​
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A list of DCC water capital growth projects can be found in the DCC Capital Growth Program 2023 Budget. The DCC rates include interest costs to finance the infrastructure projects.​

 

 

GVWD DCC Capital Growth Program 2023 Budgethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/gvwd-dcc-capital-growth-program-budget-2023.pdf, GVWD DCC Capital Growth Program 2023 BudgetGVWD DCC Capital Growth Program 2023 Budget
Regional Sewer, Water, Parkland Acquisition DCC Summary and FAQhttps://metrovancouver.org/about-us/Documents/lw-water-park-development-cost-charges.pdf, Regional Sewer, Water, Parkland Acquisition DCC Summary and FAQRegional Sewer, Water, Parkland Acquisition DCC Summary and FAQ

 

 

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"In-stream" applications"In-stream" applications<div class="ExternalClass2E9D352DB8DE453196C754C937B78A5F"><p>Recent proposed amendments to the Local Government Act, once passed and with the enacting Provincial regulation, ​will​ allow GVWD development cost charge bylaws adopted on or before March 22,2024 to be subject to an extended ‘in-stream’ provision, as determined by Section 568.1: </p><div class="uk-background-muted uk-panel uk-padding-medium"><p>(2) Des​pite section 568 (2) and ​​subject to subjection (3) of this section, a development cost charge bylaw that would otherwise be applicable to the construction, alteration or extension of a building or structure has no effect with respect to that construction, alteration or extension if</p><ul><li>(a) the building permit authorizing that construction, alteration or extension is issued within 24 months after the date the development cost charge bylaw is adopted,</li><li>(b) a precursor application to that building permit is in-stream on the date the development cost charge bylaw is adopted, and</li><li>(c) the development cost charge bylaw would increase development cost charges on a person who obtains that building permit<br></li></ul><p>(3) Subsection (2) does not apply if the applicant for that building permit agrees in writing that the development cost charge bylaw should have effect.</p></div> <br> <p>For completed precursor applications, it is the issuance of the related building permit for construction alteration or extension of a building or structure within 24 months of the bylaw adoption date that is required to qualify for the in-stream protections.</p><p>Similarly, per section 511.1, sub-division approval is required within 24 months for applications submitted prior to bylaw adoption date.</p><p>The most recent liquid waste, water, parkland acquisition DCC rate bylaws were adopted March 22,2024; thus, the proposed in-stream protection period for precursor applications will last until March 22,2026.​</p><p> <i class="fa fa-light fa-link" aria-hidden="true"></i><a href="http://www.bclaws.ca/civix/document/id/lc/statreg/r15001_14#division_d0e45097" target="_blank">Learn more about Division 7 — Development Permits</a>​</p></div>
Waiver or reduction for not-for-profit rental housingWaiver or reduction for not-for-profit rental housing<div class="ExternalClass4C95E41431714096A44D06576CBA1C03"><p></p><p>​​GVWD (Water) DCCs may be waived for not-for-profit rental housing that is:</p><ul><li>​​Owned, leased or otherwise held by a not-for-profit society, BC Housing, CMHC, a non-profit municipal housing corporation, or a registered charity at the time of any application for, or issuance of, a waiver of DCCs;</li><li>Operated as rental housing for people who meet eligibility criteria;</li><li>Governed by the terms of an agreement and/or covenant with the Province of British Columbia, BC Housing, CMHC or a municipality regarding the operation of the housing and stipulating how the dwelling units will be managed and occupied; and</li><li>Proposed project rents are geared toward households who meet or fall below the applicable Housing Income Limits (HILs).</li></ul><p>There are also provisions to reduce DCCs for not-for-profit student housing. Details are provided in the Bylaws and the documents below.​</p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/gvsdd-dcc-waiver-for-affordable-housing-application-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – Application Form">GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – Application Form</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/gvsdd-dcc-waiver-for-affordable-housing-implementation-guideline.pdf" target="_blank" title="GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – Implementation Guideline">GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – Implementation Guideline</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/services/liquid-waste/Documents/gvsdd-dcc-waiver-for-affordable-housing-faq.pdf" target="_blank" title="GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – FAQ">GVS&DD GVWD DCC Waiver for Affordable Housing – FAQ</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/boards/Bylaws/GVSDD_Bylaw_314_Consolidated.pdf" target="_blank" title="GVS&DD DCC Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing Bylaw 314, 2018 - Unofficial Consolidation">GVS&DD DCC Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing Bylaw 314, 2018 - Unofficial Consolidation</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"><i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span> <a href="/boards/Bylaws/GVWD_Bylaw_256.pdf" target="_blank" title="GVWD DCC Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing Bylaw 256, 2022 - Unofficial Consolidation">GVWD DCC Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing Bylaw 256, 2022 - Unofficial Consolidation</a></li></ul></div>
Reduction for agricultural developments with low environmental impactReduction for agricultural developments with low environmental impact<div class="ExternalClass966BB5C302624B4BAFA1292264CB0061"><p>GVWD (Water) DCCs may be reduced (by 98%) for agricultural developments that are designed to result in a low environmental impact that meet the following definition and criteria:</p><p><strong>Definition:</strong></p><p>“agricultural development” – means any non-residential building or structure that is used for agricultural production or is located on agricultural land, and will connect to and use potable water, including, but not limited to: greenhouses, retail nurseries, manufacturing and processing facilities for agriculture-related products, development intended for intensive indoor livestock operations, or development intended for non-farm commercial businesses, related to agriculture, as permitted by the Agricultural Land Commission Act.</p><p><strong>Criteria:</strong></p><ul><li>The proposed development meets the definition for “agricultural development”;</li><li>The proposed development has the following:</li><ul><li>a design plan demonstrating that a potable water meter will be installed; and</li><li>a water management plan outlining how the development will minimize potable water consumption and maximize conservation, particularly during peak demand season (May to September).</li></ul></ul><p style="display:none;"><a class="uk-button mv-button" href="#">Application Form</a></p><p><strong>Additional information:</strong></p><ul class="fa-ul"><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-file"></i></span><a href="/services/water/Documents/agricultural-dcc-waiver-process-chart.pdf" target="_blank" title="Process chart">Process chart</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-link"></i></span><a href="/boards/Bylaws/MVRD_Bylaw_1418.pdf" target="_blank" title="MVRD Development Cost Charge Waiver for Agricultural Development Designed to Result in a Low Environmental Impact Bylaw No. 1418, 2025">MVRD Development Cost Charge Waiver for Agricultural Development Designed to Result in a Low Environmental Impact Bylaw No. 1418, 2025</a></li><li> <span class="fa-li"> <i class="fa-light fa-link"></i></span><a href="/boards/Bylaws/GVWD_Bylaw_264.pdf" target="_blank" title="MVRD Development Cost Charge Waiver for Agricultural Development Designed to Result in a Low Environmental Impact Bylaw No. 1418, 2025">MVRD Development Cost Charge Waiver for Agricultural Development Designed to Result in a Low Environmental Impact Bylaw No. 1418, 2025</a></li></ul><p><strong>Contact:</strong> <a href="mailto:AgDCC@metrovancouver.org">AgDCC@metrovancouver.org</a></p></div>

 Related links

 

 

Liquid Waste Development Cost Chargeshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/liquid-waste/Pages/liquid-waste-development-cost-charges.aspx, Liquid Waste Development Cost ChargesLiquid Waste Development Cost Charges
Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Chargeshttps://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/Pages/regional-parkland-acquisition-development-cost-charge.aspx, Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charges Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charges

Contact


Financial Services

  • Email
  • Metro Vancouver 26th floor, Metrotower III 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6​

Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing

Regional Planning and Housing Services
  • Email
  • Metro Vancouver ​10th floor, Metrotower III 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6 ​

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