Last Updated: April 27, 2022
Three Readings (NEW!)
The City of New Westminster is taking the proposed DCC bylaw to Open Council on May 9, 2022 for three readings. The proposed rates and how they compare to other municipalities in metro Vancouver, can be found here.
The proposed DCC program and bylaw will be submitted to the Ministry for approval following the three readings. The bylaw will be immediately adopted following Ministry's approval. The effective date of the bylaw will be the adoption date which is anticipated to be the end of June or beginning of July, 2022.
VIRTUAL Information SESSION for the development community
The City of New Westminster will be hosting a virtual information session for the development community on the proposed updates to the Development Cost Charge (DCC) rates. This meeting will include a presentation on the proposed program followed by Q&A. Details below.
New Westminster DCC Major Update – Information Session
January 19, 2022
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Please RSVP to obtain meeting log-in information. Please note the name(s) of attendee(s) and organization.
The information presented during the meeting will be available online following the session. The City will be accepting written comments until February 11, 2022 February 18, 2022. Send your comments to the contact at the end of this page.
UPDATE: This session has passed. The session handout and presentation slides are now publicly available.
The draft DCC background report, including project costs are now available here.
WHAT ARE THE NEW PROPOSED RATES?
The draft DCC Program, as of January 17, can be found here.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The City of New Westminster is currently in the process of updating its Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw. The City last conducted a major update to its DCC bylaw in 2009, with a minor update in 2015. The following provides background information on DCCs and answers some frequently asked questions.
WHAT ARE DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES?
DCCs are fees collected from developers to help fund the cost of growth-related infrastructure (water, sewer, transportation and drainage) as well as parkland acquisition and development. DCCs are regulated through the Local Government Act. The rates charged reflect the impact growth has on infrastructure and parks; the greater the impact from development, the larger the charge (i.e. benefiter pay principle). This helps ensure developers pay their fair share of costs required to develop new infrastructure and parks.
WHO PAYS DCCS?
DCCs are paid by applicants at time of subdivision (for single family development sites) or building permit (for all other development).
HOW ARE DCCS CALCULATED AND WHEN ARE THEY COLLECTED?
DCCs for residential developments are calculated based on the parcel area for single detached residential, or the gross floor area (GFA) of the building for townhouse or apartment residential. DCCs for commercial, industrial, and institutional developments are calculated on a square meter of gross floor area (GFA) basis for both new construction or additions, and charges are collected at time of building permit.
WHAT DO DCCS PAY FOR?
DCCs help pay for upgrades needed to support growth. DCCs can be used for:
- transportation infrastructure
- sewer infrastructure
- water infrastructure
- drainage infrastructure
- park land acquisition and development
What do DCCs not Pay for?
DCCs cannot be used to pay for:
- Costs associated with new or replacement infrastructure needed only for existing residents
- Operations and maintenance
- New facilities such as recreation centres, fire halls or libraries
Why Update the DCC Bylaw Now?
The City last conducted a major update to its DCC bylaw in 2009, with a minor update in 2015 to adjust for increased costs. The City is in a strong position now to update the DCC bylaw as there is new information on growth and projects based on the 2017 OCP and recently completed master plans.
How are DCCs Calculated?
DCCs are calculated by dividing the cost of growth-related infrastructure/parks by the amount of anticipated growth.
WHEN DO THE NEW DCC RATES COME INTO EFFECT?
DCC rates will be in force immediately after the updated Development Cost Charge Bylaw is adopted by Council. The City anticipates adoption of the DCC bylaw in summer 2022.
The Local Government Act (LGA) provides special protection, for 12 months, from rate increases for development applications that are submitted prior to the adoption date. In-stream protection applies to both building permit and subdivision applications received prior to the adoption of the DCC bylaw. Protection is also extended to rezoning and development permit applications that are submitted prior to the adoption of the new DCC bylaw and that will result in a building permit within twelve (12) months of the adoption of the bylaw.
CONTACT