Background

The City of Courtenay is updating its Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw. The last significant update was in 2016, with a minor revision in 2022.

The program includes proposed projects, costs and rates. These updates help ensure DCCs continue to support the cost of growth-related infrastructure in our community.

Where we are now

On June 25, 2025, updated draft DCC rates were presented to Council.

Watch the Council meeting – June 25, 2025

Learn more and share feedback

A developer information session and community open house will be held on July 21. Feedback from the information session will be shared with Council when the updated bylaw is presented for further consideration.

July 21, 2025 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm

Developer information session

📍Native Sons Hall

A joint DCC and Amenity Cost Charges (ACC) information session will be held for the development community. It will include updates on:

  • City of Courtenay DCCs
  • Comox Valley Regional District DCCs
  • Town of Comox DCCs and ACCs
  • Village of Cumberland ACCs
Register through Eventbrite

July 21, 2025 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Community open house

📍Native Sons Hall

The community open house is open to everyone. No registration required.

Learn more about Development Cost Charges (DCCs)

Development cost charges (DCCs) are one-time fees that developers pay to help cover the cost of new infrastructure needed for growth.

DCCs are set by the Province of B.C. under the Local Government Act. They can only be used for projects related to growth. They can't be used to repair existing infrastructure or for operating and maintenance costs.

DCCs can help pay for things like:

  • roads and transportation
  • water and sewer systems
  • stormwater drainage
  • buying and improving parkland
  • fire halls and equipment*
  • police buildings*
  • solid waste and recycling facilities*

*These services are not included in the current DCC Bylaw update.

DCCs are collected at:

  • Subdivision – when creating new single-family lots (low density residential).
  • Building permit – when applying to build medium or high density residential, commercial, industrial or institutional developments.

If you submit a development application before the new bylaw is adopted, it may qualify for 12 months of in-stream rate protection.

In-stream protection applies to:

  • Subdivision or building permit applications submitted before adoption.
  • Rezoning or development permit applications submitted before adoption that result in a building permit within 12 months.

Some developments may be exempt from DCCs:

  • Buildings for public worship
  • Developments that do not create new capital costs
  • Developments where DCCs have already been paid

Council may also vary DCCs for:

  • Building permits valued at $50,000 or less*
  • Residential units 29 m² or smaller
  • Developments with fewer than four units (e.g. duplexes, triplexes)

*Subject to Council approval

Under the Local Government Act, municipalities may adopt a bylaw to waive or reduce DCCs in certain cases — for example, to support affordable rental housing or reduce environmental impacts.

Courtenay’s current bylaw for affordable housing waivers is:

  • Development Cost Charge Waiver (Affordable Housing) Bylaw No. 3118

This bylaw is set to expire on June 1, 2027.

Proposed DCC rates

The proposed rates apply city-wide and reflect a 1 per cent Municipal Assist Factor (MAF). DCCs are charged based on development type

Land useUnitProposed rate
Low density residential
(e.g., single family)
per lot or dwelling unit$21,337
Medium density residential
(e.g., triplex, fourplex, townhouse)
per dwelling unit$11,986
High density residential
(e.g., apartment, detached accessory dwelling unit)
per m2 gross floor area $137.80
Commercialper m2 gross floor area$87.26
Industrialper m2 gross floor area$69.16
Institutionalper m2 gross floor area$16.42