As mentioned in previous updates, on September 23rd, Council gave first, second and third reading to the proposed amendments to the 2025 fees and rates bylaws. The amendments include a 3% inflationary increase of the planning and development fees and rates. 

Additional information can be found in the  staff report and  Planning & Development Fees and Rates Amendment Bylaw. 

September 26, 2024

As mentioned in previous updates, on September 9th, Council approved in principle the proposed changes to the fees and rates bylaws and directed staff to prepare and report back with the necessary amendment bylaws. The review includes a memorandum of the Planning and Development Fees and Rates proposing to increase them based on a 3.0% estimated rate of inflation. 

Additional information can be found in the  full staff report and  Planning and Development Fees and Rates Review Memo. 

November 26, 2023

On November 6th, Council adopted proposed changes to the Fees and Rates Review that would come into effect on January 1st, 2024. The fees and rates assist the City in recovering costs associated with providing certain City services. Departments are required to review these on an annual basis. The changes proposed are based on comparative data with other municipalities/industries or the estimated rate of inflation – 3% for 2024.

Staff recommended some proposed changes to Engineering Services rates as summarized below:

• Street Occupancy Permit (SOP) Fees and Rates:
  • A new fee for Level 2 and Level 3 projects as they require review and authentication by a Professional Engineer due to complexity;
  • Increasing SOP fees for construction work on major streets and cycling routes/greenways to reflect the higher level of disruption to the public;
  • A new fee for construction projects that require closure of sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and protected bike lanes. A significantly reduced fee is available for projects that provide accessible alternate facilities for foot traffic and people using various wheeled micro-mobility devices;
  • A new fee to recoup staff and material costs for the use of City-owned barricades, including on-site delivery and removal for Parades and Street Festivals.
• Subdivision and Development Control Fees and Rates:
  • A new pre, post, and other construction inspection fee for public works associated with the subdivision and development control bylaw.
• Site Development Undertaking:
  • A new non-refundable inspection fee, an initial inspection will document the condition of public works bordering a development and serve as a baseline to compare future damages that may occur.

Staff also proposed changes to the Climate Action, Planning and Development (CAPD) fees and rates, as outlined below:

Schedule A Building Fees

• Reinstating a $500 discount for projects using a registered professional. Staff also recommend making the application fee structure non-refundable and separate from other fees, as well as increasing the maximum double permit and plan processing fees to account for inflation;
• New charges for these tasks: Change of Registered Professional, Courtesy Inspections, Miscellaneous Inspection fee;
• New fee for the Energy Efficiency Performance Bond and an additional charge for the BC Registry Services Document and Administration;

Schedule B Business License Fees

• Staff recommended that Business License Fees be relocated outside of CAPD and be governed by a separate bylaw exclusively dedicated to business licensing.

Schedule C Planning Fees

• Staff recommended raising minimum fees and modifying applicability in certain areas, including Official Community Plan Map Designation, Rezoning, Comprehensive Development Review, Heritage Revitalization Agreement, Development Variance Permit, Temporary Use Permit, Development Permit, Special Development Permit, Covenants, Covenants Discharge, Landscape Inspection;
• Introducing new fees for Transportation Review in Official Community Plan Amendment applications and for Preparation of Legal Documents;
• Introducing an optional 1.75% convenience fee added to permit fees paid online or by credit.

Schedule D Plumbing Permit Fees

• Increasing the backflow prevention fee to $30;
• Revising water service fees for multi-family and commercial buildings to $2.50 per foot
• Introducing hourly changes for permit extensions and changes;
• Replacing the Change of Use inspection charge with a Courtesy Inspection charge
• Requiring permits and application fees for multi-family hot water heating systems to enhance cost recovery and documentation.

Schedule E Tree Protection and Regulation Fees

• Proposing new credit card convenience fees of 1.75% on the total cost of invoices paid online;
• Increases in application fees, permit fees for non-resident applicants, and tree protection barrier inspection fees;
• Adjustments to replacement fees and retained deposits;
• Adding a cash-in-lieu fee of $850 to be introduced for replacement trees when a City tree is removed and a charge for the removal of large specimen trees.

More information can be found in the Engineering Services and CAPD reports.