Port Coquitlam is proposing a new Amenity Cost Charge Program. Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) are a newer development financing tool introduced by the Province through Bill 46 in late 2023 to help local governments fund essential community infrastructure. Unlike Development Cost Charges, which are reserved for "hard" infrastructure like roads, water, and sewers, ACCs specifically fund growth-related amenities that provide social, cultural, and recreational benefits. These funds allow the City to invest in vital projects such as community centers, libraries, childcare facilities, and public squares, ensuring that as our population grows, the quality of life for all residents is maintained and enhanced.
To ensure fairness and transparency, ACCs are calculated as a standardized, fixed-rate fee applied to new developments based on the number of units or square footage, providing both the City and developers with predictability for long-term financial planning. This model replaces Community Amenity Contributions, which were variable fees negotiated between the developer and the City.
ACC rates are determined by dividing the projected capital costs of new amenities by expected population or employment growth. The City is required to contribute a Municipal Assist Factor, a portion of the amenity cost paid by the municipality rather than the developer. These funds can only be applied to the capital costs of new amenities and cannot be used for ongoing operations, maintenance, or repair of existing facilities.
To collect ACCs, the City must establish a bylaw in accordance with the process and requirements set out in the legislation. An ACC bylaw is required to set out the areas(s), land use types, amenities and amount of charges set per lot/unit or per square meter of floor area. The City will be required to produce an annual public report starting in 2027, detailing the total funds collected and the specific amenity projects those funds supported during the previous year.
ACCs are paid by developers, at the time of building permit issuance or subdivision. All new developments that add population, including single-family houses, duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, and apartments. Rental or strata residential projects will be charged according to their land use (apartment, townhouse, etc.). Municipalities may waive or discount charges for non-profit rental and eligible affordable units. At this time no waivers or discount charges are proposed.
ACC rates are developed by a provincial formula of dividing the costs of amenity projects by population. Economic analysis was conducted of the effect of ACC charges on potential developments, and the funds required for the associated ACC projects. The proposed ACC fees result in 1-3% reduction in profit margins for a developer.
Timing of ACC Implementation
June 1: Launch project webpage
June 2: Email notification to identified members of development community
June 8: Virtual information session with identified members of the development community (recording to be shared afterward)
June 2-22: Comment period
June 25: Council Meeting with draft ACC Bylaw for Council consideration
Frequently Asked Questions
ACCs are a development financing tool that allows local governments to recover costs for amenities that provide social, cultural, heritage, recreational, or environmental benefits to a community.
All new developments that add population or jobs, including single-family, duplexes, triplexes, rowhouses, and townhouses.
Rates are developed by a provincial formula of dividing the costs of amenity projects by population/employment growth. Economic analysis was conducted of the effect of ACC charges on potential developments to confirm that the rates would not suppress growth or investment and that they are economically viable. Cost estimates were conducted to determine the cost of amenities to ensure charges are defensible, transparent, and cost based.
Port Coquitlam’s proposed ACC rates are:
Single-Family Dwelling: $15,358 per lot
Ground Oriented Multi Family (Townhouse, Duplex, Triplex): $8,038 per dwelling unit
Apartment: $5,454 per dwelling unit
Commercial: $0
Industrial: $0
Institutional: $0
ACCs will be collected upon completion of subdivision for single-family dwellings, and at building permit issuance for all other developments.
ACCs can fund capital costs associated with new or expanded community amenities needed as Port Coquitlam grows. Amenities include any facility or feature that provides social, cultural, heritage, recreational, or environmental benefits to a community.
Examples of Eligible Costs:
Recreation facilities
Community centres; and
Public spaces
ACCs cannot fund hard infrastructure or other costs associated with Development Cost Charges (DCCs).
Costs overlapping with other development charges, including Development Cost Charges or Density Bonusing
The City has developed a proposed ACC Program in alignment with provincial legislation and that is informed by Council-approved policies, plans and strategies. Approved ACC projects include parks upgrades, playing field updates, and recreation centre updates.
Only amenities in the approved ACC Program can receive ACC funds. Council has reviewed and prioritized projects, considering growth pressure, grant opportunities, and community input. ACC funds are held in reserves and considered annually through the City’s capital planning and financial planning processes. As priorities are confirmed by Council and projects become ready, eligible amenities are advanced into the capital plan and funded through approved capital budgets, aligned with ACC revenues.
Market forces such as land values and interest rates remain the primary drivers of housing prices. ACC charges are expected to represent a relatively small portion of total development costs (1-3%) after land acquisition. As a result, any increase in development costs associated with ACCs is more likely to be absorbed through adjustments to land values or developer profit, rather than directly affecting housing prices.
Provincial law mandates exemptions for: places of worship, developments that do not increase population, and prescribed affordable-housing categories.
While not exempt by the province, commercial, industrial, and institutional developments are exempt from ACCs in Port Coquitlam.
The Local Government Act lets municipalities waive or discount charges for non-profit rental and eligible affordable units.
Rental or strata residential projects will be charged according to their land use (apartment, townhouse, etc.).
No. ACCs are fixed-rate by-law charges.
Provincial legislation requires an annual ACC Reserve Fund report (collections, interest, expenditures) to be published before June 30th each year, starting in 2027.
Yes, per Provincial legislation, consultation of affected parties must occur one or more times. The City will engage with affected parties in a meeting on June 8, and comments will be accepted from June 2-22.
The ACC Program will take effect once adopted by Council. It is anticipated that the bylaw will be adopted in late June, 2026.
When a local government adopts an ACC bylaw, the charges do not apply to any development for which the local government has received a complete application for a building permit, development permit, or zoning bylaw amendment prior to the bylaw’s adoption.
Staff propose a 5-year review cycle, with the first update in 2030. More frequent adjustments may occur as needed as directed by Council.
