Development Cost Charges (DCC)

Development Cost Charges are fees imposed by a local government under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, on new development to help pay for off-site infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, drainage, and parks required to service that development. The authority to impose DCCs is set out in Division 4 of Part 14 of the Local Government Act. Rates, exemptions, and applicability vary by municipality or regional district, so verify the specific DCC bylaw and current rates with the local government where the development is located before proceeding.

The Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, Division 4 of Part 14 (sections 933–939), authorizes local governments to impose development cost charges. Only infrastructure categories specified in section 933 (such as roads, water, sanitary sewer, drainage, and parks) may be funded through DCCs. Verify the applicable provisions and any amendments with a BC lawyer or the local government before acting.

DCC payment timing is governed by the local government's DCC bylaw, adopted under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1. Most municipalities require payment at the time of building permit issuance, but some allow phased payment or payment at subdivision approval. Verify the specific payment timing, deadlines, and any deferral programs in the applicable municipal DCC bylaw before acting.

No. Section 933 of the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, limits DCCs to specific capital costs: highways, water, sanitary sewer, drainage, and parkland acquisition and development. A local government cannot impose DCCs for operating costs, on-site works, or infrastructure categories not listed in section 933. Verify the scope and wording of the local DCC bylaw with a BC lawyer or the municipality before acting.

Exemptions depend on the local government's DCC bylaw, adopted under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1. Some municipalities exempt non-profit rental housing, social housing, or certain forms of affordable housing; others do not. The Local Government Act does not mandate province-wide exemptions, so verify exemptions, eligibility criteria, and application procedures in the specific municipal DCC bylaw and with the local government before acting.

Under section 933.1 of the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, a local government must prepare a DCC program that estimates the capital costs for eligible infrastructure needed to service anticipated development. The DCC bylaw then allocates a portion of those costs to new development, typically based on factors like floor area, number of units, or land area. Verify the methodology, current rates, and any recent bylaw amendments with the municipality or a BC lawyer before acting.

Appeals of DCC bylaws are not specifically provided for under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, but a bylaw may be subject to judicial review or a reconsideration request if it exceeds statutory authority or is procedurally defective. Some municipalities have internal DCC dispute resolution or reconsideration policies. Verify dispute and appeal procedures with the local government and consult a BC lawyer before acting.

Whether DCCs apply to renovations or additions depends on the specific DCC bylaw adopted under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1. Many municipalities charge DCCs only on the net increase in floor area, number of units, or other measure of development intensity, and may exempt minor renovations. Verify how the local DCC bylaw defines "development," what triggers a charge, and current thresholds with the municipality or a BC lawyer before acting.

No. Each local government adopts its own DCC bylaw under the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, resulting in significant variation in rates, exemptions, eligible infrastructure categories, and payment timing across BC municipalities and regional districts. Verify the specific DCC bylaw, current rates (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), and policies applicable to your project's location with the local government before acting.

Some BC local governments offer DCC payment deferral or financing programs under their DCC bylaws, adopted pursuant to the Local Government Act, RSBC 2015, c. 1, often for specific housing types such as purpose-built rental or affordable housing. Eligibility, interest rates, security requirements, and repayment terms vary by municipality. Verify whether deferral or financing is available, the current terms (as of 2026-07-27 — verify current), and application procedures with the local government or a BC lawyer before acting.