As mentioned in previous updates, on November 28th the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Board adopted the MVRD Development Cost Charge Waiver or Reduction for Not-for-Profit Rental Housing Amendment Bylaw. The proposed bylaw amendments include provisions to extend DCC waivers to Inclusionary Affordable Rental Housing Units, replace the 50% reduction for Student Housing with a full 100% waiver, and incorporate housekeeping changes to improve clarity and streamline administration. The bylaw changes will come into effect on January 1, 2026. 

SUMMARY OF BYLAW AMENDMENTS 

Staff have followed the approach described in the February 5, 2025 report, titled “Consideration of Updating Development Cost Charge Waivers to include Inclusionary Housing Units” in drafting the amendments to the Development Cost Charge Waiver Bylaws. 

Those amendments add provisions: 

• To expand eligibility for DCC waivers to Inclusionary Affordable Rental Housing Units within a market rate development provided those units are transferred or leased long term to a not-for-profit, registered charity or public housing body at a below market cost for operation as affordable rental housing;
• Replace the 50% reduction for Student Housing with a 100% waiver for eligible Dwelling Units or Floor Area, and
• Make other housekeeping revisions necessary to implement these changes and to streamline the administration of the bylaw.

Additional information can be found in the full report by Metro Vancouver staff. 

August 4, 2025

On July 25, a report was presented to the Metro Vancouver Regional District (MVRD) Board outlining the financial analysis and mitigation measures related to the proposed update to the Development Cost Charge (DCC) waiver framework. The update would expand DCC waivers to include inclusionary housing units, affordable units delivered by the private sector and transferred to non-profit operators.

The MVRD Board directed staff to draft amended DCC Waiver Bylaws to:

• Include provisions that waive DCCs for inclusionary housing units, and
• Monitor and report annually on DCCs waived for for-profit affordable rental housing.

Earlier this year, in February 2025, both the Finance Committee and the MVRD Board reviewed and supported the proposal to extend DCC waivers to inclusionary housing. This change aims to support the delivery of more affordable housing in the region through partnerships with the private sector.

If the expansion of the DCC waiver program is approved, the incremental financial impact is estimated at $5.4 million to $7.0 million annually. This potential impact will be reviewed as part of Metro Vancouver’s five-year financial planning process this fall.To ensure long-term sustainability of infrastructure funding, several mitigation strategies will be explored as part of the next scheduled update to the regional DCC bylaws in 2027.

The report also addresses questions raised during the committee review process, providing further financial analysis and background information on the proposed changes.

February 3, 2025 

At the Regional Planning Committee Meeting on January 9th, the Committee received a report titled “Consideration of Updating Development Cost Charge Waivers to Include Inclusionary Housing Units” for information. Feedback received from the Regional Planning Committee, Liquid Waste Committee, Water Committee, and Regional Parks Committee in January 2025 will be forwarded on to the Finance Committee and MVRD Board for direction in February. Should staff be directed to prepare bylaw amendments, these will come forward to the respective Committees and Boards in March 2025. If directed to proceed, staff will consult with stakeholders including member jurisdictions, industry stakeholders and other levels of government prior to bringing forward amendments to the respective DCC waiver bylaws for consideration in March 2025. 

The table below outlines the proposed amendment – waiver of DCCs for Inclusionary Units Turn-keyed to Not-for-Profit Entities:

In addition to bylaw amendments being considered to enable DCC waivers for inclusionary units, the DCC waiver bylaw review also considered amendments to simplify implementation of the existing framework, as outlined in the table below. 

Proposed Additional DCC Waiver Bylaw Housekeeping Amendments:

Additional information can be found in the full report by Metro Vancouver staff.