As the City grows, new and improved infrastructure and services will be required to support the new residents and businesses that result from development. Development helps pay for the capital costs generated by growth through a combination of tools, including development cost charges and school site acquisition charges, Engineering off-site requirements (secured through Works and Services Agreements), and amenity and/or density bonus contributions.
Please note that in light of Provincial changes to development and land use legislation, the City is in the process of developing a new, comprehensive Financing Growth Strategy. This strategy is anticipated to contain a combination of Development Cost Charges (DCCs), Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs), Inclusionary Housing, and density bonus, and is expected to be released in 2025. Those with an interest in development in New Westminster should continue to monitor this page for more information.
Recently, Council endorsed the Interim Density Bonus Policy, which is intended to help the City transition from a negotiated amenity process towards fixed rates while the new Financing Growth work is progressed.
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.
Similar to DCCs, ACCs may be established by a municipality (under Section 570.2 of the Local Government Act), which are charges levied on new development (i.e., levied at the subdivision, or building permit stage) to assist in funding the cost of new infrastructure and facility upgrades that are outside of the DCC bylaw - examples include, but are not limited to, community centres, libraries, and daycares. The City's ACC Bylaw was adopted on December 1, 2025, and is also the date in which the bylaw came into effect.
The ACC bylaw, ACC rate table, and additional information regarding the ACC program are accessible in the following links:
Some applicants requesting zoning amendments or development variance permits offer to make a voluntary amenity contribution as part of their development proposal. These contributions can be actual amenities, or cash towards amenities such as community facilities, public art, heritage restoration and childcare space.
New Westminster accepts voluntary amenity contributions as part of development proposals requesting an increase in development rights (e.g. additional density, land use changes, variances resulting in a substantial increase in floorspace that cannot be achieved under existing zoning). The amenity contributions are intended to help fund the capital investments required to accommodate a growing population and economy. This approach is based on financial analysis to determine whether the change in zoning increases the value of the subject site and, if so, what portion of this increase in land value should be available to fund community amenities.
The City began using this approach in May 2005 and has secured significant contributions toward parks, transportation, and public art, and other amenities and community benefits. This tool requires site-by-site negotiations with developers, an approach that is well suited to large, complex projects but is cumbersome for small projects and is not applicable at all to projects that do not require rezoning.
DCCs are charges levied on new development to assist in funding the cost of upgrading or providing transportation, drainage, water and sanitary infrastructure as well as developing parkland needed to support new development. DCCs are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
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.
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's DCC Bylaw was adopted on January 12, 2026, and is also the date in which the bylaw came into effect.
The DCC bylaw, DCC rate tables, and additional information regarding the DCC program are accessible in the following links:
- DCC Bylaw No. 8327, 2022, consolidated with revisions from DCC Amendment Bylaw No. 8539, 2025.
- Development Cost Charges Rate Tables
- Development Cost Charges - General Questions and Answers
- Development Cost Charges Background Report - DCC Bylaw No. 8327, 2022 (Amendment Bylaw No. 8539, 2025)
Development Charge (Instalments) Regulation
The Development Charge (Instalments) Regulation is a Provincial regulation that provides an opportunity for deferred payments of applicable charges (i.e., DCCs, ACCs, and SSACs), if certain criteria and conditions are met. Additional details are outlined in the Development Charge (Instalments) Regulation.
Metro Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District Development Cost Charges
The City collects Development Cost Charges on behalf of Metro Vancouver. These funds are used to pay for regional sanitary sewer and drainage works. Metro Vancouver Development Cost Charges apply to all new development and are collected prior to issuance of a building permit.
More information on Metro Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage Development Cost Charges
Metro Vancouver Water District Development Cost Charge
Effective April 2023, Metro Vancouver established a 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 Metro Vancouver Water Development Cost Charge
Metro Vancouver Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charges
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 Metro Vancouver Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charges
Regional Transportation Development Cost Charges
The City collects the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charges on behalf of TransLink. The charges were introduced in 2018 and are 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.
More information on the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charges
As a condition of subdivision approval, five percent of the development site must be dedicated for use as parkland. This contribution could be cash in lieu of land dedication. Cash contributions are deposited in a reserve fund for future parkland acquisition. Parkland dedication is required from residential subdivisions of four or more lots.
On behalf of New Westminster School District No. 40, the City collects school site acquisition charges. These funds are used to purchase new school sites, or land to add to existing school facilities. All new residential development pays SSACs.
View the School District's Capital Bylaw here, which includes the current fee schedule.
These agreements between the City and a development applicant ensure that water, sewer, electrical, transportation (e.g. crossings, curbs, sidewalks) infrastructure within and adjacent to the development site provided or improved to meet current City standards. Works and Services Agreements are required for all new development.