Vancouver builders
Metro Vancouver charges go up on January 1, 2027. Here is what it costs you.
Checked against the official tables on October 9, 2026. Every number links to its source.
The short answer
- A building permit issued on or before December 31, 2026 pays Metro Vancouver's July 24, 2026 rates. One issued on January 1, 2027 or later pays the higher rates. Applied before July 24, 2026? See the in-stream question below.
- In the Vancouver Sewerage Area, Metro's charges go up by $6,381 per single-detached, duplex or triplex unit, $5,751 per townhouse unit and $3,931 per apartment unit. In Vancouver's other sewer area, the Fraser Sewerage Area, the increase is up to $106 more per unit.
- The City of Vancouver's own levies do not change on January 1. They change on September 30.
- Most new housing permits in Vancouver take longer than the time left in 2026. If you have not applied yet, plan on the 2027 rate.
What the Jan 1 step costs your project
| Charge | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | $9,839 | $13,954 | +$4,115 |
| Liquid waste (sewer) | $9,593 | $10,557 | +$964 |
| Regional parkland | $442 | $1,114 | +$672 |
| Total | $19,874 | $25,625 | +$5,751 |
Can your permit be issued by December 31, 2026?
In Vancouver, new multiplex (multiple dwelling) permits issued in the 12 months to October 6, 2026 took a median of 195 days from application to issue. One in four took longer than 280 days. Based on 328 permits.
- To be issued by December 31, 2026 on a typical timeline, the application needed to be in by June 19, 2026 (passed).
- With room for a slow review (three in four permits are faster), by March 26, 2026 (passed).
Not applied yet? Then plan on the 2027 rate. Enter your application date above if you are already waiting on the City.
The rates, from Metro Vancouver's tables
On July 24, 2026 the Metro Vancouver Boards rolled the 2026 charges back to 2025 levels and lowered the 2027 increase. The amended rates apply to building permits issued on or after July 24, 2026. Source: Metro Vancouver, Development Cost Charges.
Water
| Per unit | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached, duplex or triplex unit | $10,952 | $15,532 | +$4,580 |
| Townhouse unit | $9,839 | $13,954 | +$4,115 |
| Apartment unit | $6,791 | $9,630 | +$2,839 |
Source: Metro Vancouver, Regional Water Development Cost Charge
Liquid waste, Vancouver Sewerage Area
| Per unit | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached, duplex or triplex unit | $10,498 | $11,553 | +$1,055 |
| Townhouse unit | $9,593 | $10,557 | +$964 |
| Apartment unit | $6,298 | $6,930 | +$632 |
Source: Metro Vancouver, Liquid Waste Development Cost Charges
Liquid waste, Fraser Sewerage Area
| Per unit | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached, duplex or triplex unit | $11,443 | $12,601 | +$1,158 |
| Townhouse unit | $10,015 | $11,028 | +$1,013 |
| Apartment unit | $7,302 | $8,040 | +$738 |
Source: Metro Vancouver, Liquid Waste Development Cost Charges
Regional parkland
| Per unit | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached, duplex or triplex unit | $491 | $1,237 | +$746 |
| Townhouse unit | $442 | $1,114 | +$672 |
| Apartment unit | $303 | $763 | +$460 |
Source: Metro Vancouver, Regional Parkland Acquisition Development Cost Charge
Total, Vancouver Sewerage Area
| Per unit | From Jul 24, 2026 | From Jan 1, 2027 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached, duplex or triplex unit | $21,941 | $28,322 | +$6,381 |
| Townhouse unit | $19,874 | $25,625 | +$5,751 |
| Apartment unit | $13,392 | $17,323 | +$3,931 |
The City's August 2026 bulletin prints $10,577 for the January 1, 2027 townhouse liquid waste charge in the Vancouver Sewerage Area. Metro Vancouver's own table says $10,557. We use Metro's number.
What does not change on January 1
- City of Vancouver DCLs. They change on September 30 each year. The next change is a pre-set 3% increase on September 30, 2027. Source: City of Vancouver, Development Cost Levies Bulletin (August 2026).
- City of Vancouver Amenity Cost Charge. The new charge took effect on September 30, 2026. Source: City of Vancouver, Amenity Cost Charges.
- TransLink. The City's bulletin lists TransLink rates for January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026 only. We found no published 2027 rate as of October 9, 2026. Source: City of Vancouver, Development Cost Levies Bulletin (August 2026), Appendix E.
Already waiting on the City? Do not lose weeks to another round.
We cannot make the City review faster. What usually slows a permit down is a set of drawings that comes back with comments. Run your drawings, or your revised set, through our free check against Vancouver's bylaws before it goes in. When you want the full report to hand to the City, your designer or your client, the Permit Readiness Review is $149 CAD, one time.
Start a free checkQuestions about your own file's charges go to the City's DCL Coordinator, DCLCoordinator@vancouver.ca.
Questions
Which date counts, the day I apply or the day my permit is issued?
For a permit applied for on or after July 24, 2026, the day it is issued. Metro Vancouver says its amended rates apply to building permits issued on or after July 24, 2026, and the City of Vancouver collects these charges before it issues the building permit. Issued on or before December 31, 2026: the lower rate. Issued January 1, 2027 or later: the higher rate.
Does the City of Vancouver’s own charge go up on January 1, 2027?
No. The City’s development cost levies change on September 30 each year. The next change is a pre-set 3% increase on September 30, 2027. The City’s new Amenity Cost Charge took effect on September 30, 2026.
I applied before July 24, 2026. What do I pay?
Metro Vancouver says a complete application submitted before July 24, 2026 may be treated as in-stream. An in-stream file keeps the rates that were in effect when it was submitted, unless you give the City written agreement to use the amended, lower bylaws. That option is open until July 24, 2027. Ask the City’s DCL Coordinator which rate applies to your file.
Does the TransLink charge change too?
The City’s August 2026 bulletin lists TransLink rates for January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026 only. We found no published 2027 TransLink rate as of October 9, 2026.
Is the calculator exact for my project?
It uses the per-unit rates in Metro Vancouver’s tables. Some projects pay less, for example not-for-profit rental housing. The City confirms the charge for your file before it issues the permit.
Permit timing comes from Van Permit Audit's records of City of Vancouver building permits: new building permits issued in the 12 months to October 9, 2026, counting the days from application to issue that the City publishes.
This page is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rates and dates come from the official tables linked above. Confirm the charge for your file with the City of Vancouver before you rely on it.