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Who charges what in Abbotsford
A new multiplex in Abbotsford pays one-time charges to several bodies. The City of Abbotsford collects its own development cost charge (DCC): Multiplex: $27,903 per unit; Townhouse: $27,903 per unit; Apartment: $17,912 per unit. Bylaw 3174 as amended by 3633-2025, in force Feb 1, 2026. Townhouse/multiplex/SSMUH rate; duplex $35,623 per unit. Effective 2026-02-01.
Abbotsford is in the Fraser Valley Regional District, so Metro Vancouver and TransLink DCCs do not apply. That is a big part of why Fraser Valley totals run lower.
For schools, SD 34 Abbotsford collects a school site charge. SD 34 SSAC Bylaw No. 21 (2019): $501 per unit at medium density, scaled by provincial factors ($626 low to $376 high). Middle tiers derived from the factors.
Amenity cost charge (ACC): Townhouse: $3,840 per unit; Apartment: $2,511 per unit. ACC Bylaw 3637-2025, adopted June 24, 2025, in force Feb 1, 2026. Townhouse/multiplex $3,840, apartment $2,511.
Building permit: Fees and Charges Bylaw 1532-2006, Schedule G: $100 up to $10,000; $9.40 per $1,000 to $50,000; $470 plus $7.30 per $1,000 to $500,000; $3,755 plus $6.00 per $1,000 above. Application fee ($750 for new townhomes and row homes) is credited at issuance, so it is not added.
Worked examples
4-plex, 4 units of 1,100 sq ft on a 6,000 sq ft lot at $400 a sq ft to build: $140,291 total, $35,073 a unit. The biggest line is Abbotsford municipal DCC at $111,612, 80% of the total. That ranks Abbotsford number 2 of 19 for a 4-plex.
6-plex, 6 units of 1,000 sq ft on the same lot: $208,619 total, $34,770 a unit, number 2 of 19. A duplex of two 1,400 sq ft units comes to $72,089.
Full line items: duplex, 4-plex, 6-plex.
What is changing
- Added ACC $3,840 (townhouse/multiplex) and $2,511 (apartment) per unit.
What this leaves out
Area-specific add-ons, credits for existing homes on the lot, waivers, in-stream protection, servicing works, and utility connection fees. Check those with the city before you price land.
Cities near this cost for a 4-plex: Chilliwack ($31,748 a unit), West Vancouver ($36,850 a unit). Compare all 19.
Background: what a DCC is, ACCs, school site charges, BC multiplex zoning rules.
Abbotsford: rates on file
Abbotsford is in the Fraser Valley Regional District, so Metro Vancouver and TransLink DCCs do not apply. Regional and TransLink lines are in the estimate above. Checked 2026-10-16.
| Charge | Rate | Status | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal DCCBylaw 3174 as amended by 3633-2025, in force Feb 1, 2026. Townhouse/multiplex/SSMUH rate; duplex $35,623 per unit. | Multiplex: $27,903 per unit; Townhouse: $27,903 per unit; Apartment: $17,912 per unit | Verified | 2026-02-01 | Source |
| Amenity cost chargeACC Bylaw 3637-2025, adopted June 24, 2025, in force Feb 1, 2026. Townhouse/multiplex $3,840, apartment $2,511. | Townhouse: $3,840 per unit; Apartment: $2,511 per unit | To confirm | 2026-02-01 | Source |
| School site chargeSD 34 Abbotsford | SD 34 SSAC Bylaw No. 21 (2019): $501 per unit at medium density, scaled by provincial factors ($626 low to $376 high). Middle tiers derived from the factors. | District bylaw rate | 2026-10-16 | Source |
| Building permit fee | Fees and Charges Bylaw 1532-2006, Schedule G: $100 up to $10,000; $9.40 per $1,000 to $50,000; $470 plus $7.30 per $1,000 to $500,000; $3,755 plus $6.00 per $1,000 above. Application fee ($750 for new townhomes and row homes) is credited at issuance, so it is not added. | To confirm | 2023 (Amendment Bylaw 3362-2023), unchanged in 2026 | Source |
Questions
How much are development fees on a 4-plex in Abbotsford?
About $140,291, or $35,073 a unit, for four 1,100 sq ft units on a 6,000 sq ft lot, counting priced lines only. Estimate only, confirm with the city.
Does the Metro Vancouver regional DCC apply in Abbotsford?
No. Abbotsford is in the Fraser Valley Regional District, so Metro Vancouver and TransLink DCCs do not apply.
Does Abbotsford charge an amenity cost charge?
Yes. Townhouse: $3,840 per unit; Apartment: $2,511 per unit.