Development Cost Charges
What are Development Cost Charges?
Development Cost Charges (DCCs) are monies that are collected from land developers by a municipality, to assist in financing the cost of upgrading or providing infrastructure services to support the new development. Imposed by bylaw pursuant to the Local Government Act, the charges are intended to facilitate development by providing a method to finance capital projects related to roads, drainage, sewers, water and parkland.
What Development Cost Charges does the District of Sooke collect?
The District of Sooke currently has Bylaw No. 202, Development Cost Charges Bylaw, 2004 in place in order to allow the District to collect the DCCs to help fund road and wastewater infrastructure that benefits future growth in the community.
The District also collects DCCs on behalf of Capital Regional District Water Services.
When are DCCs collected?
Subdivision - at final approval
Building Permit - prior to building permit issuance for townhouse, apartment or commercial projects (as defined in Bylaw No. 202)
Are there any other charges I should be aware of?
While not technically a Development Cost Charge, the District also collects School Site Acquisition Charges on behalf of School District #62.
The following is a list of useful links:
Bylaw No. 202 District of Sooke DCCs
CRD Water Services DCC Bylaw - visit the CRD Website at www.crd.bc.ca
Where can I find out more information?
DCCs related to a townhouse, apartment or commercial development (as defined in Bylaw No. 202) - contact the Building Department at 250-642-1634.
DCCs related to a subdivision - contact the Deputy Approving Officer at nlewers@sooke.ca
2012 DCC Bylaw Review Process
According to best practices a DCC bylaw should have a minor review annually to reflect changes in construction costs, land values, and the status of government grants. A major DCC bylaw amendment should be completed at least once every five years.
A major review of Bylaw 202, DCC Bylaw, 2004 is currently underway in order to ensure that the Bylaw accurately reflects the current OCP’s growth estimates and new infrastructure plans, as well as recent changes to the provincial legislation on DCCs (Bill-27) that gives municipalities the option to waive or reduce DCCs for certain types of development.
Urban Systems has been hired to complete this review and on January 16, 2012 at the Committee of the Whole meeting the 2012 DCC Review Draft Report Summary was presented in order to provide a basis for discussions with all stake holders. The consultant also provided a presentation which contained a brief explanation of DCC’s and a summary of the draft DCC rates for discussion. Further information which was requested at this meeting will be provided on this website as well.
For more information related to DCC’s following are two links to documents prepared by the Ministry of Community Services on this subject;
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/intergov_relations/library/DCC_Best_Practice_Guide_2005.pdf
http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/intergov_relations/library/DCC_Elected_Officials_Guide_2005.pdf
For further information related to the DoS DCC review process, please contact
Elisabeth Nelson, P.Eng.
Municipal Engineer
enelson@sooke.ca