Business, Building & Development

Development Cost Charges (DCCs)

About Development Cost Charges

Development Coast Charges (DCCs) are fees collected by local governments to help fund the cost of growth-related infrastructure expenditures. DCCs are regulated by the Local Government Act. The rates charged reflect the impact growth has on infrastructure, parks, and eligible protective services; the greater the impact, the larger the charge. This helps ensure development contributes its fair share towards the necessary growth-related infrastructure improvements that development benefits from.

DCCs help offset the cost of providing new infrastructure related to development. For example, they help build sewers, watermains, drainage, and roads.

DCCs are a one-time charge, which are levied during:

  • at subdivision
  • at building permit
Recent Changes

On September 29, 2025, Council adopted Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 1329, 2025, replacing the Town’s previous DCC Bylaw No. 1218 (2016, amended 2018).

This update:

  • Responds to new legislative requirements under the Province’s Homes for People Action Plan.
  • Reflects updated infrastructure needs and increased capital costs for construction.
  • Introduces revised definitions for housing types (e.g. low-, medium-, and high-density residential; garden suites; accessory dwelling units).
  • Establishes new DCC rates for residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional development.

The adoption of Bylaw No. 1329 followed a full review process, including an information session on October 30, 2024, with the development community to provide feedback on the draft rates and bylaw.

In-stream Protection
  • The new DCC rates came into effect on adoption of Bylaw No. 1329. However, legislation provides a 12-month in-stream protection period for:
  • Building permit applications,
  • Precursor applications (rezoning and development permits), and
  • Subdivision applications.

This means applications already in progress at the time of adoption are protected under the previous rates for up to 12 months.

Development Cost Charges Bylaw No. 1329, 2025

Development Cost Charges

More information

If you have any questions, comments, or general feedback regarding the implementation of the above changes, please contact the Town at: infrastructure@gibsons.ca.