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Regional Water Development Cost Charge

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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 as well as parkland acquisitions 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 three separate DCC charges, liquid waste, water, and parkland acquisition.

Funding water system expansion

Metro Vancouver updated the water Development Cost Charge rate effective January 1, 2025. Until recently, 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. The DCC fees are defined in the Development Cost Charge Bylaw below. The water DCC rates are phased in over three years beginning January 1, 2025.

Calculating the development cost charges

DCCs are calculated based on the type of development. One significant point of departure between the water DCC bylaw and the sewer DCC bylaw is that the water DCC has 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 and parkland acquisition bylaws, 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>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>For complete precursor applications, it is the issuance of the related building permit for construction, alteration or extension of a building or structure within 12 months of the bylaw adoption date that is required to qualify for the in-stream protections.​<br></p><p>The most recent water DCC rate bylaw was adopted March 22, 2024; thus, the in-stream protection period for precursor applications will last until March 21, 2025.</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>
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
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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