Surrey, B.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0On Monday,\u00a0Council approved an updated\u00a0development\u00a0cost\u00a0charge\u00a0bylaw for submission to the\u00a0province, proposing\u00a0even\u00a0lower residential rates and a simplified fee structure to support housing delivery and\u00a0future growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we want people to be able to live and buy a home in Surrey, we need to make housing more affordable to build,\u201d Mayor Brenda Locke said. \u201cBy lowering DCCs, we are supporting the delivery of more homes for current and future residents while continuing to invest in the roads, utilities, parks, and community amenities a growing city needs.\u201d<\/p>\n
The proposed 2026 DCC rates would reduce residential charges by\u00a0approximately seven\u00a0to nine per cent\u00a0from\u00a02024 levels, while\u00a0remaining\u00a0broadly comparable to other municipalities in the region.\u00a0For example, DCCs\u00a0for single\/small-scale housing in Surrey\u00a0are\u00a0$51,633\u00a0compared\u00a0to Langley\u00a0at\u00a0$87,615, while\u00a0DCCs for a townhouse\u00a0in\u00a0Surrey\u00a0are\u00a0$27.15\u2013$54.87 per sq. ft.\u00a0compared to\u00a0Burnaby\u00a0at\u00a0$38.54 per unit.<\/p>\n
Council also\u00a0endorsed\u00a0two\u00a0new\u00a0amenity\u00a0cost\u00a0charge\u00a0bylaws\u00a0to fund community facilities needed to support growth, including recreation centres, libraries, parks, and cultural amenities.\u00a0Under this framework, contributions from development are expected to generate about $350 million over 10 years for city-wide amenities, and $147 million over 30 years for the\u00a0new Newton Community Centre.<\/p>\n
Together, the updated DCC bylaw and new ACC framework are part of the City\u2019s broader approach to managing growth, supporting housing delivery, and ensuring the\u00a0timely\u00a0development of the infrastructure and amenities needed to serve a growing population.<\/p>\n
Subject to provincial approval, the updated DCC bylaw will return to Council for final adoption. The ACC bylaws will go through Council approval steps and be considered alongside related updates to the City\u2019s planning and zoning regulations.<\/p>\n