Community benefits from development

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. 

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

 

  • Family Place and Childcare Centre

    By City of Vancouver

    Family place co-located with a 37-space childcare centre in the Marpole community was completed in 2018. The developer provided the facilities as an in-kind community amenity contribution (CAC) offering for a mixed-use development at SW Marine Dr and Cambie St. 

  • Belcourt Residence Social Housing

    By City of Vancouver

    70 units of non-market housing was incorporated into a mixed-use redevelopment in the Downtown Eastside. The building was completed in 2018 and was provided by the developer as an in-kind CAC offering.

  • 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 Development Cost Levies (DCL).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Arbutus Greenway Temporary Path

    By City of Vancouver

    A 9km walking and cycling path connecting False Creek to the Fraser River, including temporary washrooms, solar lighting, pollinator gardens, and five new traffic signals. The path was completed in 2017 and was built with cash CAC funding. 

  • BMO Theatre Centre

    By City of Vancouver

    150 seat theatre, rehearsal hall offices, and costume shop for Bard on the Beach and Arts Club Theatre. The centre was completed in 2015 and was built as an in-kind CAC offering with additional cash CAC funding.

  • 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 bonusing

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

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 approved rates, review the CAC Policy for Rezonings (1.7 MB) and Density Bonus Contributions Bulletin (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 (5.2 MB) and DCL Bulletin  (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 (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) (1.5 MB)

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

Community Benefits from Development (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