Community benefits from development | City of Vancouver

Development contributions come in the form of Community Amenity Contributions (CACs), Development Cost Levies (DCLs), and density bonus zoning. 

Examples of development contributions

Development contributions help deliver new or upgraded facilities that our growing city needs to be liveable for all residents, such as:

• Parks and libraries
• Childcare facilities, schools, and neighbourhood houses
• Cultural facilities
• Community centres, rinks, and pools
• Non-profit and social housing
• Secured market rental housing
• Bikeways and greenways
• Streets and transportation infrastructure
• Police stations and firehalls

In the last 10 years with the help of development contributions, we funded 2,500 new or upgraded social housing units and 3,000 licensed childcare spaces.

Map of development contributions shows citywide benefits

The map below shows how new developments contribute benefits across Vancouver and is updated every year. Many public benefits are already completed, while others will be completed in the near future.

Types of development contributions

The community benefits above are delivered with help from these types of development contributions.

CAC target and density bonus review

On April 11, 2023, and May 9, 2023, Council approved the CAC target and density bonus contribution rate recalibration. It includes rate increases to some areas, effective September 30, 2023, with in-stream rate protection available. To view the rates, review the CAC Policy for Rezonings PDF file (1.7 MB) and Density Bonus Contributions Bulletin PDF file (1.4 MB).

2022 DCL update

On June 22, 2022, Council approved a DCL rate phase-in over 2 years with the remaining 50% rate increase effective September 30, 2023. Review Council report PDF file (5.2 MB) and DCL Bulletin PDF file (896 KB)

Metro Vancouver Water DCC

On April 28, 2023, a new Metro Vancouver water development cost charge came into effect with in-stream rate protection available. Review DCL Bulletin PDF file (896 KB)

Since 2010, we’ve exempted/waived $68M in DCL payments that helped build 4,414 social housing units, 3,150 affordable rental housing units, and preserve 4 heritage buildings.

Guiding principles on development contributions

We manage the increased demands for facilities by following these principles:

• Community liveability should be maintained as the city grows.
• New developments should contribute to the cost of growth and their impact on the community.
• The cost of City facilities and services should be shared between new and existing developments.
• The economic impact of our development contributions should not affect development or housing affordability.
• Our system should be consistent, transparent, simple, and flexible.

Background documents

Financing Growth (2004) PDF file (1.5 MB)

• Forms the basis of our development contribution system
• Establishes a citywide policy for CACs and DCLs

Community Benefits from Development PDF file (7 MB)

• Provides a broader context of our approach to development contributions
• Describes the kinds of community benefits that accompany new development in our neighbourhoods