The City of Port Coquitlam (City) is updating its Parks Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw. The City last updated its Parks DCC program in 1999. The proposed Parks DCC bylaw will complement the recent 2023 Utilities and Transportation DCC update. Please note the City will not be updating the Utilities DCC Bylaw at this time and will be maintaining the utility DCC rates at the 2023 levels.
Please note it is proposed to merge the Parks DCC Bylaw and Utilities DCC Bylaw into a unified city-wide DCC bylaw.
Where We Are Today
July 8, 2025 – The Parks DCC draft rates were presented to Council and Council directed staff to proceed to interested parties’ engagement.
Parks DCC Information Session
A Parks DCC Information Session for the public and development community will be held on virtually on October 8, 2025 from 2-3pm. The Information Session will include details on the proposed Parks DCC bylaw update.
Feedback received during the Information Session will be included when presenting the Parks DCC to Council for further consideration.
About Development Cost Charges (DCCs)
DCCs are one-time fees collected to help communities recover the costs of off-site infrastructure needed for growth. They are based on the principle of cost-sharing, ensuring new infrastructure is funded by both new development and existing taxpayers based on anticipated benefit. DCCs are a Provincially regulated tool; the Local Government Act sets out the general requirements under which local governments may administer DCC programs. Funds generated through DCCs are intended for one-time capital costs and are only applied to growth-driven projects. Funds cannot be used for projects needed to address existing deficiencies in service or for operations and maintenance costs.
Parks DCCs can be used to fund capital costs (planning, engineering, design, legal, studies) for:
- Parkland acquisition
- Park improvements
- Fencing
- Landscaping
- Drainage and irrigation
- Trails
- Restrooms and changing rooms
- Playground equipment
- Playing field equipment
Proposed Parks DCC Rates
| Land Use | Unit of Charge | Proposed Parks DCC Rates [City-Wide] |
|---|---|---|
| Single Family | per dwelling unit/lot | $15,253.00 |
| Ground-Oriented Multi Family (e.g., duplex, townhouse, rowhouse) | per dwelling unit | $7,983.00 |
| Multi Family (e.g., apartments) | per dwelling unit | $5,417.00 |
| Commercial | per m2 gross floor area | $25.66 |
| General/Light Industrial | per m2 gross floor area | $12.83 |
| Institutional | per m2 gross floor area | $14.25 |
| Heavy Industrial | per ha site area | $128,294.42 |
Payment of Parks DCCs
DCCs are paid by applicants/developers at the time of:
- Subdivision, for approval to create new Single Family lots; or,
- Building Permit, upon application to construct Ground-Oriented Multi Family, Multi Family, Commercial, General/Light Industrial, Heavy Industrial or Institutional developments
In-Stream Applications
When a new DCC Bylaw is enacted, an existing development application submitted prior to the adoption of the new Bylaw is granted 12-month in-stream protection.
In-stream protection will apply to both building permit and subdivision applications received prior to the adoption of any new DCC Bylaw. Protection is also extended to rezoning and development permit applications that were submitted prior to the adoption of any new DCC Bylaw and that will result in a building permit within 12 months of DCC Bylaw adoption. If an application is submitted prior to the adoption of the new DCC Bylaw and meets the required criteria, it is provided protection from rate increases.
Statutory Exemptions from DCCs
As per provincial legislation, the following are exempt from paying DCCs:
- Development in which a DCC has previously been paid;
- Development that does not impose a new capital cost burden;
- Places of Worship;
- Self-contained residential dwelling units no larger than 29 m2 (312 ft2); and
- Building Permits for work that does not exceed $50,000 in value.
Waivers and Reductions
Under the Local Government Act, a local government may opt to impose a bylaw through which DCCs may be waived or reduced. DCC waivers or reductions can be provided in support of development resulting in the creation of affordable rental housing or reduced environmental impact.
The City does not currently provide any waivers or reductions. Should the City establish any waivers or reductions, any amount waived would be funded by the non-DCC revenue sources.
Amenity Cost Charges
The City is in the process of developing the first Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) Program. ACCs are a development finance tool that allow local governments to collect funds for amenities such as community centres, recreation centres, daycares, and libraries from new development that results in increased population of residents or workers.
Similar to the Parks DCCs, a report will be brought forward to Council to determine ACC amounts. Following this report, consultation will take place on the ACC Bylaw and the proposed rates.