On December 4th, 2023, Council gave First, Second, and Third Readings to proposed changes to the 2024 Fees and Charges Bylaw. The changes are primarily due to inflationary adjustments, with the CPI in the Vancouver area averaging 4.5% in 2023, and would come into effect on January 1st, 2024. 

Planning and Development Fees & Building Fees 

City staff proposed that Planning and Development Fees and Building Fees increase by the inflation rate (4.5%).  

Engineering and Public Works Fees and Charges 

As mentioned in previous updates, staff also proposed changes to the Engineering and Public Works Fees and Charges. For the cost of service and recovery review, staff suggested new fees for engineering inspections and streamlined fees for road and sidewalk closure permits: 

• Engineering Inspections 
  • During the City's post-construction inspection, it is common for an inspector to identify deficiencies to City infrastructure resulting from development activity. Once the deficiencies are addressed, a re-inspection occurs, with the engineering inspector visiting the property. Staff propose a new re-inspection fee of $100 be charged in 2024 to provide cost recovery of the engineering inspector’s labor and fleet vehicle expenses. 

• Road and Sidewalk Closure Permits 
  • City's road and sidewalk closure permit is approved for up to a maximum of 10 business days. Frequently businesses need additional time and request an extension of their initial permit. Under the current EPW fees, businesses are not charged for extensions for their permit. Staff propose streamlining and increasing the initial fee and creating a new fee in 2024 for road and sidewalk closure permit extensions. 

City staff also made changes to the development service connection renewals, proposing an increase to the flat rate fee for new storm, sanitary, and water connections: 

• Storm/drainage (19% increase) - $12,500 
• Sewer (19% increase) - $12,500 
• Water (17% increase) - $7,500 

Staff proposed to phase-in a gradual increase over 3 years to reach cost recovery for these services. Developers will have the choice of accepting the new fee or hiring their own contractor to complete the work.  

More information can be found in the full report by City staff.