The Village of Cumberland (Village) is in the process of introducing an Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) Bylaw. The Village does not currently have an ACC program in place. An ACC program would exist alongside the Village’s existing Development Cost Charge (DCC) Bylaw, which was last updated in 2022. To date, the Village has prepared materials for the new ACC program that includes the proposed projects, costs, and rates. Council gave first, second and third readings to the ACC Bylaw on March 9, 2026.

The ACC Bylaw has a deferred adoption scheduled for June 8, 2026. The purpose of the deferred adoption date is to provide applicants the opportunity to finalize pending applications and submit prior to the adoption date to potentially qualify for in-stream protection.

ACCs are one-time fees collected by local governments to help recover the capital costs of growth-driven amenities that provide social, cultural, heritage, recreational, or environmental benefits to a community. Much like Development Cost Charges (DCCs), they are a provincially-regulated development finance tool in the Local Government Act. Funds cannot be used for operations and maintenance costs, or projects addressing existing deficiencies.

ACCs can pay for the following amenities, among others:

• Recreation or athletic facility

• Community, youth, or seniors’ centre

• Daycare facility

• Library

• Public square

*Note: ACCs cannot be used for projects otherwise eligible for DCCs.

The Village’s proposed ACC program includes two projects:

1. Recreation Centre Expansion

1. Daycare Facility

CCs are levied on a per lot or per dwelling unit basis for Low Density Residential and on a per unit basis for Medium Density Residential and High Density Residential. ACCs will not be levied on non-residential (Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional) uses in the Village.

The proposed ACC rates outlined below assume a 1% Municipal Assist Factor (MAF).

Both DCCs and ACCs cannot be levied if the proposed development does not impose new capital costs on the Village or if fees have already been paid for the same development. Additional DCCs or ACCs may apply if an expansion to a development increases capital costs to the Village or requires additional servicing beyond the previous use.

ACCs are paid by applicants/developers at the time of:

• Subdivision, for approval to create new single-family lots (Low Density Residential); or,

• Building Permit, upon application to construct Medium or High Density Residential developments and for issuance of a building permit authorizing construction, alteration or extension of a Low Density Residential unit resulting in additional residents.

When a new ACC Bylaw is enacted, an existing development application submitted prior to the adoption of the new Bylaw is granted in-stream protection until the original ACC Bylaw is amended. An inflationary adjustment is planned for early 2027.

In-stream protection will apply to both building permit and subdivision applications received prior to the adoption of any new ACC Bylaw. Protection is also extended to rezoning and development permit applications that were submitted prior to the adoption of any new ACC Bylaw and that will result in a building permit prior to the original bylaw being amended (early 2027). The 12-month in-stream protection period starts once the amended bylaw is adopted, and the rates in the original 2026 Bylaw would apply for 12 months.

If an application meets the required criteria of being submitted prior to the adoption of the new ACC Bylaw, it is provided protection from rate increases until the original 2026 ACC Bylaw is amended.

Complete rezoning, development permit, or building permit application received by the Village	Initial ACC Bylaw adopted	Year 1 ACC Rate	Amended ACC Bylaw adopted with new rates in 2027	Year 2 ACC Rate	Year 3 ACC Rate
		No ACCs charged for in-stream applications. Applicants are locked in at the previous rate (i.e., no ACCs) until the original bylaw is amended.		In-stream applicants pay 2026 rates and are protected from the amended rates for 12 months. Applicants must receive Subdivision Approval or Building Permit within this period to pay the initial ACC rate.	In-stream protection no longer applies if Building Permit is not received within 12 months of amended ACC Bylaw (2027 update).All new applications are now subject to the amended ACC rate.

June 8, 2026 – The ACC Bylaw is scheduled to be presented to Council for consideration of adoption.

March 9, 2026 - The draft ACC Bylaw was presented to Council at the March 9, 2026 meeting. Council gave three readings to the bylaw. The proposed bylaw will now be available for review before it is brought to Council for adoption on May 25, 2026.

July 21, 2025 - A Joint DCC and ACC Information Session for the development community was held at the Native Sons Hall in Courtenay. Feedback received during the Information Session will be included when presenting the ACC Bylaw to Council for further consideration.

May 26, 2025 – The draft ACC rates were presented to Council at the May 26, 2025, Committee of the Whole.

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