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Regional Water Development Cost Charge

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​​​​​​Metro Vancouver is updating the assist factor for liquid waste DCCs.
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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 two separate DCC charges: liquid waste and water.​

Funding water system expansion

Metro Vancouver established a new water Development Cost Charge effective April 28, 2023. Until now the larger regional water infrastructure – water treatment facilities, reservoirs, water mains and pump stations that deliver the water to the municipalities – have primarily been paid for through user fees. These fees are defined in the Development Cost Charge Bylaw below.

Calculating the development cost charges

DCCs are calculated based on the type of development and the location. One significant point of departure between the water DCC bylaw and the sewer DCC bylaw is that the water DCC will have only one fee structure for the one regional water system, while sewer DCC has four different fee structures aligning with the four sewerage areas in the region.

Similar to the sewer bylaw, 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 ae charged per square foot.​

 

 

Development Cost Charge Bylawhttps://metrovancouver.org/boards/Bylaws/GVWD_Bylaw_257.pdf, Development Cost Charge BylawDevelopment Cost Charge Bylaw

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:

​Residential​TownhouseApartment​Non-Residential​​
​​​$6,692 / unit​​​$5,696 / unit$4,261 / unit​$3.39 / ft2 of floor area
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Effective d​ate: April 28, 2023​

A list of DCC water 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.​

 

 

DCC Capital Growth Program 2021 Budgethttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/dcc-capital-growth-program-2021-budget.pdf, DCC Capital Growth Program 2021 BudgetDCC Capital Growth Program 2021 Budget
Preliminary Water Development Cost Charge Summary and FAQhttps://metrovancouver.org/services/water/Documents/water-development-cost-charge-summary-faq-2023.pdf, Preliminary Water Development Cost Charge Summary and FAQPreliminary Water Development Cost Charge Summary and FAQ


 

 

"In-stream" applications"In-stream" applications<div class="ExternalClass2E9D352DB8DE453196C754C937B78A5F"><p>I started my development application process before the new Development Cost Charge (DCC) rates were approved. Am I subject to the new DCC rates?</p><p>New development cost charge bylaws are subject to “in-stream” provisions as determined by Section 568 of the Local Government Act.</p><div class="uk-background-muted uk-panel uk-padding-medium"><p> <strong>Local Government Act </strong>- Effect of bylaws adopted after application for rezoning, development permit or building permit submitted</p><p> 568(2) - Subject to subsection (3), 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​<br></p><ol type="a"><li>the building permit authorizing that construction, alteration or extension is issued within 12 months after the date the bylaw is adopted, and<br></li><li>a precursor application to that building permit is in-stream on the date the bylaw is adopted.<br></li></ol></div> <br> <p>It is the issuance of a final building permit for above grade construction, alteration or extension of a building or structure that is required to qualify for the in-stream protections.</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>​<br></p></div>
Future rate adjustmentsFuture rate adjustments<div class="ExternalClassA536E81FBB454C57AA9C5AFEA8427060"><p>​​Any future rate adjustments would begin with an engagement process prior to the new DCC rate, water or sewer, becoming effective.</p><p>This will mean the proposed rates will be announced through a number of communication methods including the Metro Vancouver website, newsletters, mailing lists, social media, and notices for collecting input and concerns through events and other engagement activities will be promoted. The input received will inform the DCC rate recommended to the responsible Board.</p><p>​The in-stream provisions for any DCC rate adjustment would apply to complete precursor applications that receive a building permit within 12 months from the amending bylaw adoption date.​<br></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>

 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

Contact


Financial Services

  • Email
  • 604-436-6839​​​
  • Metro Vancouver 26th floor, Metrotower III 4515 Central Boulevard, Burnaby, BC V5H 0C6​

Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing

Jessica Hayes,
Acting Program Manager, Housing Policy & Planning, Regional Planning & Housing Services
  • Email
  • 604-436-6848​

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