To help deliver the facilities and infrastructure needed to serve a growing Vancouver, we look to ensure that new development contributes to neighbourhoods where change occurs.
Development contributions come in the form of Community Amenity Contributions (CACs), Development Cost Levies (DCLs), and density bonus zoning.
On this page
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 fire halls
Examples of development contributions
By City of Vancouver
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Terry Taylor Childcare Centre
By City of Vancouver
This 37-space childcare centre in Upper Kingsway was completed in 2012. The developer provided the centre as an in-kind community amenity contribution (CAC) offering for a mixed-use development at Kingsway and Nanaimo St.
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Woodward's social housing
By City of Vancouver
200 units of non-market housing (75 for families, 125 for singles) were included in the Woodward's mixed-use redevelopment in Downtown. The project was completed in 2010 and funded in part by development cost levies (DCLs).
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Jericho Beach restoration
By City of Vancouver
The Vancouver Park Board restored the historic beach around the former Jericho Marginal Wharf with viewing binoculars, trails, seating, and interpretive signs. The restoration was completed in 2013 and funded in part by DCLs.
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Creekside Community and Childcare Centre
By City of Vancouver
The community centre and 37-space rooftop childcare centre in Southeast False Creek was built as part of the new Olympic Village neighborhood. The centre was built in 2010 as an in-kind CAC offering with DCL funding.
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Jim Deva Plaza
By City of Vancouver
The plaza at Davie and Bute streets in the heart of Davie Village celebrates the history of the local LGBTQ community. The plaza opened in 2016 and was built with CAC funding.
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Kensington Library Branch
By City of Vancouver
The library is part of a mixed-use development at Kingsway and E King Edward Ave. It opened in 2009 and was provided as an in-kind CAC.
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Get the broader context
By City of Vancouver
To understand what kinds of community benefits accompany new development in our neighbourhoods, read our guide "Community Benefits from Development" (PDF, 7 MB)
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.
Community Amenity Contributions
In-kind or cash contributions for public amenities from property developers when City Council allows development through a rezoning.
Density bonus zoning
Increased floor space under existing zoning in exchange for providing public amenities and affordable housing.
Development Cost Levies
Fees charged on all new developments to fund public amenities.
News and updates
Development Contribution Expectations along Broadway
DCEs on Broadway intend to limit speculation prior to community planning.
Citywide Utilities DCL
Helps fund upgrades to water, sewer, and drainage systems.
CAC update
We're reviewing current policy, engaging stakeholders, and developing new Community Amenity Contributions guidelines.
Since 2010, we've exempted $36M in DCL payments that helped build over 2,000 social housing units, 2,100 affordable rental housing units, and preserve 3 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