Background
The City of Courtenay adopted an Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) bylaw on April 29, 2026. ACCs are a tool that helps fund community amenities needed to support Courtenay’s continued growth.
ACCs were introduced through Bill 46 (2023) as part of the province’s changes to the Local Government Act. They allow municipalities to collect funds from new development for amenities that serve the broader community.
While Development Cost Charges (DCCs) fund essential infrastructure such as water, sewer, drainage, roads and parks, ACCs focus on community amenities that improve livability and social well-being, including:
- recreation and cultural facilities
- parks, trails and open spaces
- sportsfields and playgrounds
- dog parks and spray parks
- cultural and community centres
Together, DCCs and ACCs ensure that growth pays for growth — balancing the costs of new infrastructure and amenities between the development community and existing taxpayers.
Where we are now
First, second and third readings by Council and provincial approval — complete.
The bylaw was adopted April 29, 2026, and updated rates took effect April 30, 2026
In December 2025, staff presented a report to Council outlining ACC rate options, including potential rates for institutional and industrial development, and an opportunity for Council to review the draft ACC project list identifying the types of community amenities that will be funded through ACCs.
ACC rates
| Land use | Unit | Proposed rate (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Low-density residential | per lot or dwelling unit | $ 6,643 |
| Medium-density residential | per unit | $ 3,618 |
| High-density residential | per m² GFA | $ 42.56 |
| Commercial | per m² GFA | $ 13.84 |
| Industrial/institutional | — | Exempt |
Rates include a one per cent Municipal Assist Factor (MAF) and are based on Courtenay’s 20-year growth projections.
Over this period, the program could collect up to $26 million of the estimated $73 million in growth-related amenity costs.
ACC-funded projects
The ACC program funds the following amenities to support growth over the next 20 years:
- community centre expansion
- Florence Filberg Centre expansion
- recreation facility expansion
- sportsfield improvements
- pickleball court construction and improvements
- dog park construction and improvements
- cultural facility expansion
- The LINC Youth Centre and Skateboard Park improvements
- spray park construction
- park amenity program
All projects were reviewed for eligibility under the Local Government Act and the ACC Best Practices Guide, ensuring they directly serve the needs of Courtenay’s growing population.
Economic analysis
To evaluate how ACCs may impact development, the City retained City Squared Consulting to conduct a financial feasibility study. The analysis confirmed that:
- the proposed rates are modest and viable under current economic conditions
- phasing in rates is not needed
- increased density anticipated through the Official Community Plan (OCP) and Zoning Bylaw updates will help offset development costs
Learn more:
Amenity Cost Charges (ACCs) are one-time fees collected from new development to help pay for community amenities such as recreation centres, trails and cultural facilities.
They ensure that new growth contributes to the amenities that make Courtenay a great place to live.
- DCCs fund essential infrastructure like water, sewer, drainage, roads, and parks.
- ACCs fund community amenities like recreation centres, sportsfields, and cultural spaces.
Together, they ensure growth pays for both infrastructure and quality-of-life amenities.
ACC rates are based on:
- 20-year growth projections
- eligible capital projects such as recreation and cultural facilities
- benefit allocation between existing and new residents
- a Municipal Assist Factor (MAF), which determines the City’s share of costs
The City’s current proposal uses a one per cent MAF and modest, city-wide rates for residential and commercial uses.
ACCs are collected at subdivision approval or building permit issuance, depending on the type of development.
As of January 1, 2026, developers can choose to pay ACCs in two instalments:
- 25 per cent is due on receipt of subdivision approval or building permit issuance, whichever comes first
- 75 per cent can be deferred until the earlier of: four years after subdivision approval or building permit issuance, or 15 business days after all occupancy permits are issued and the City has confirmed in writing that any permit conditions have been satisfied
If deferring 75 per cent, developers must provide financial security in one of the following forms:
- an irrevocable letter of credit from a financial institution or trust company authorized under the Financial Institutions Act
- an on-demand surety bond from an insurer authorized under the Financial Institutions Act with prescribed credit ratings
Developers may also choose to pay the full amount at once.
For more detail on the requirements, see the Development Charge Instalments Regulation (BC Reg. 166/84) and Ministerial Order No. M197.
If your application was submitted before the ACC bylaw adoption date, you may qualify for in-stream protection — meaning you are exempt from the new ACC rates until the ACC bylaw is amended.
To qualify, an in-stream precursor application must be a complete application to the satisfaction of the City, with all applicable fees paid, and must be actively in progress — not rejected, withdrawn or issued.
Additional criteria apply depending on your application type:
- Rezoning, development permit or building permit applications
Previous ACC rates will apply if a building permit is issued within 12 months of the bylaw adoption date. - Subdivision applications
Previous ACC rates apply if:- the Preliminary Layout Review does not lapse during the one-year protection period
- final subdivision approval occurs before the one-year anniversary of the bylaw adoption date
When in-stream protection expires
The new ACC rates apply following the scheduled inflationary update to the ACC bylaw in early 2027. Any extensions beyond that point are subject to the new rates.
Complete rezoning, development permit, or building permit application received by the City | 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). | 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. |
Certain developments are exempt from ACCs, including:
- any class of affordable housing prescribed by regulation
- any capital cost for which a DCC may be imposed
- places of worship (though other uses in the same building may still be subject to ACCs)
- developments that do not increase population or employment
Under the Local Government Act, the City may also waive or reduce ACCs for eligible developments.
The MAF is Council's policy decision on how much the City contributes toward growth-related amenity costs. The provincial minimum is one per cent, but councils may choose to contribute more. A higher MAF lowers costs for new development but increases the City's financial responsibility.
The City has set a one per cent MAF across both the DCC and ACC programs.
