Project Summary N-117: Amenity cost charges bylaw
Development of a new finance tool to collect funds from development for community amenities.
Project Summary: Amenity cost charges bylaw
Project ID: N-117 Financial Plan: 2026-2030 Priority: Discretionary Public Engagement: Inform Project Name: Amenity cost charges bylaw 1-2-05100-615 CC510-37 Submitted by: Leanne Taylor, Director of Development Services
Executive Summary
The province adopted Bill 46 Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act, 2023, which introduces Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs), a new development finance tool that allow local governments to collect funds from new development for amenities such as community centres, recreation centres, daycares, and libraries to support an increase in population. This project would develop an Amenity Cost Charges Bylaw following updates to the Zoning Bylaw and Official Community Plan, in accordance with Bill 44 (Small Scale, Multi-Family Housing), Bill 47 (Transit Oriented Areas) and Interim Housing Needs Assessment.
Business problem and opportunity
Establishing an Amenity Cost Charges Bylaw will ensure that social, cultural, recreational, and environmental benefits to a community are realized to support current and future population growth and changing demographics.
Proposed project objectives
- Identify areas where more housing supply is planned (based on Official Community Plans and other planning documents) and what amenities are needed to support that supply. ACCs would apply to new development in those areas.
- Determine the ACC amounts following the rules set out in legislation (for example, the capital costs must be allocated between existing users and new users).
- Consult during the development of the ACC bylaw and charge rates.
- Pass a bylaw that implements the charges.
Business risks
Failure to establish an Amenity Cost Charges Bylaw would result in new development not paying for suitable and adequate facilities to meet the needs of a growing community.
Proposed sources of funding
Provincial grant reserve account – Local Government Housing Initiatives 1-1-00500-185
Costs and benefits
| Costs | FY1 | FY2 | FY3 | FY4 | FY5 | 5-year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Capital | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Operational | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Total | 75,000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 75,000 |
| Benefits | |
|---|---|
| Tangible | Funding for capital projects not covered by the DCC Bylaw |
| Intangible | Ensure transparency and cost certainty for developers, local governments, and the public. |
Recommendation
THAT the Committee recommend the 2026-2030 Financial Plan include Amenity cost charges bylaw in 2026 to be funded by provincial grant reserve account.
Additional Information
A copy of Bill 46 Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act, 2023 is available here:
Bill 46 - Housing Statutes (Development Financing) Amendment Act, 2023, 4th Session, 42nd Parliament (2023) (leg.bc.ca) https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/data - ldp/Pages/42nd4th/1st_read/PDF/gov46-1.pdf