Development Cost Charges (DCCs)
Under Section 559 of the Local Government Act, a municipality can establish development cost charges (DCCs), which are charges levied on new development to assist in funding the cost of upgrading or providing infrastructure services and acquiring and developing parkland needed to support new development. DCCs can be collected to help pay for transportation, drainage, water and sanitary infrastructure, as well as parkland acquisition and development.
The City of New Westminster has collected DCCs on developments in the Queensborough area since 1995. In 2005 the City expanded the DCC program to include charges for the Mainland. DCCs are collected from all development that imposes a new capital cost burden on the municipality.
The City of New Westminster last completed a comprehensive major update in 2022 for the transportation, water, sanitary, and drainage components. The update focused on project cost estimates and new infrastructure to support development growth. The City completed an inflationary update in 2024 which has an effective date of August 1, 2024.
DCC Bylaw No. 8327, 2022, consolidated with revisions from DCC Bylaw No. 8456, 2024.
In November 2023, the Province of British Columbia (Province) introduced new legislation to support local governments in an effort to build more affordable housing, by streamlining development processes to reduce development review times. In addition to the new legislation, to support the processes in providing additional housing (Bill 44 – Small-scale multi-unit housing, and Bill 47 – Transit-oriented development areas), new development financing tools (Bill 46) were also introduced to support the anticipated growth.
Specific to DCCs, eligible categories now also include fire protection facilities (e.g., fire halls), police facilities, and solid waste and recycling facilities. The City is currently updating the DCC Bylaw, along with developing an ACC Bylaw.
More information on the City's proposed updates to the DCC Bylaw, and the development of an ACC Bylaw can be found here.
GREATER VANCOUVER SEWERAGE AND DRAINAGE DISTRICT (GVS&DD) DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES
The City collects Greater Vancouver Development Cost Charges on behalf of Metro Vancouver. These funds are used to pay for regional sanitary sewer and drainage works. GVS&DD Development Cost Charges apply to all new development and are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
More information on GVS & DD Development Cost Charges
greater vancouver Water district (GVWD) Development Cost Charge
Effective April 28, 2023, Metro Vancouver established a new water Development Cost Charge. These funds are used to pay for water facilities. Development Cost Charges apply to all new development and are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
More information on GVWD Development Cost Charge
Greater / Metro Vancouver Parkland Acquisition Development cost Charges
The City collects Greater Vancouver development cost charges on behalf of Metro Vancouver. Effective January 1, 2025, Metro Vancouver established a new regional parkland acquisition charge. These funds are used to pay for acquisition of parkland throughout the Greater Vancouver region. Development Cost Charges apply to all new development and are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
More information on Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charges
Regional Transportation Development Cost Charges
The City collects the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charges (RTDCCs) on behalf of TransLink. The RTDCCs were introduced in 2018 and will be used to pay for improvements to the regional transportation system. These charges apply to all new developments and are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
Click here for more information on the Regional Transportation DCCs