Metro Vancouver boosts sewer DCC costs

August 8, 2017



Residential developers in Metro Vancouver will be soon facing much higher fees related to sewage upgrades for new homes. The regional government is reviewing its liquid waste development cost charges, a fee that funds 99 per cent of the cost of new sewage projects.
The sewer rates have not changed in 20 years.
The rates are expected to increase by 75 per cent to 229 per cent, depending on the area. Metro Vancouver development charges are applied in each of four sewer zones and are charged per new residential unit and per square foot for new non-residential projects.
Anne McMullin, CEO of the Urban Development Institute noted that any increase in residential fees will be passed onto new home buyers.
The highest increases in fees are expected in the fast-growing Fraser area, which includes Surrey and other municipalities of the Fraser Valley.
Consultations will be held with the public, the development community, the province and other stakeholders until this November, but new charges will be applied starting April 1, 2018.
Bob de Wit, CEO of the Greater Vancouver Home Builders’ Association said that the new DCC sewer rate increases represent just part of  accelerating development cost charges and other civic fees that are now being added to new housing permits in many Metro municipalities.

Proposed new DCC sewer rates in Metro Vancouver

Source: Metro Vancouver