Vancouver Adding New City-Wide Development Charges This Fall: What the $10/sq ft ACC Means for Buyers and Builders

The City of Vancouver is overhauling its development contribution system with a new city-wide Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) set to take effect on September 30, 2026. This historic shift moves the city away from project-by-project Community Amenity Contribution (CAC) negotiations toward a standardized fee structure. Under the new system, high-density residential developments above 1.5 floor area ratio (FAR) will eventually pay $10 per square foot, while mid-density projects between 1.2 and 1.5 FAR will face $5 per square foot, and low-density development at or below 1.2 FAR will pay $2.32 per square foot. The ACC will be levied on top of existing Development Cost Levies (DCLs) and is expected to generate approximately $483 million over the next decade to fund community centres, libraries, public art, and cultural spaces.