At its Regular Meeting of May 11, 2020, Council adopted amendments to the Development Cost Charges (DCC) Bylaw, which reduces DCC rates for the majority of new development in the city.
DCCs are a one-time charge levied to a property for the purpose of providing funds to help the City pay the capital costs of providing, constructing, altering or expanding sewage, drainage and highway facilities to service, directly or indirectly, the development for which the charge is being imposed.
DCCs are charged at the subdivision stage when creating new single family lots. DCCs are charged at the building permit stage for any other development type. Applicants should be aware of the DCCs as part of the review of their development plans.
In 2019, City staff reviewed the DCC bylaw to confirm works required related to expected growth over the next 20 years. Following the review, a number of proposed amendments were presented to Council, and then to the public during an open house. Recently, the Province confirmed its support for the bylaw changes and on Monday, Council adopted the amended bylaw.
“These amendments integrate Council directed and supported changes to other bylaws,” said Mayor Victor Cumming. “This is part of an overarching goal to improve sustainability for residents by effectively managing infrastructure and supporting opportunities for growth in Vernon.”
The changes to DCC Bylaw #5233 include:
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- removal of projects that are no longer required;
- removal of projects beyond the 20 year scope of the bylaw;
- removal of completed projects;
- addition of new projects required to support growth in the next 20 years; and
- update all project costs and benefit allocations as appropriate.
The new rates are based on a 20-year residential growth projection creating a realistic term for accountability and construction expectations. The projects that have been included in the DCC Bylaw are those that are necessary to provide improved transportation facilities and address drainage concerns in Vernon.
For more information regarding DCC rates for the City of Vernon, please visit www.vernon.ca/DCC.
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