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Who charges what in New Westminster
A new multiplex in New Westminster pays one-time charges to several bodies. The City of New Westminster collects its own development cost charge (DCC): Townhouse: $105.04 per m2; Apartment: $142.72 per m2. Mainland rates, Schedule D of Bylaw 8327 as amended by 8539. Queensborough is higher (TH $137.49, apt $156.32 per m2). Effective 2026-01-12.
Because New Westminster is in Metro Vancouver, the city also collects Metro Vancouver's regional water, sewer (FSA sewerage area) and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC for the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charge. On a 4-plex those regional lines add $92,532.
For schools, SD 40 New Westminster collects a school site charge. SD 40 SSAC Bylaw 2026-1 keeps the maximum provincial charges.
Amenity cost charge (ACC): Townhouse: $240.56 per m2; Apartment: $330.32 per m2. ACC Bylaw 8540, 2025. Townhouse $240.56/m2, apartment $330.32/m2 of gross floor area.
Building permit: Bylaw 7683. Plus $169 application fee (not included).
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: $262,753 total, $65,688 a unit. The biggest line is New Westminster amenity cost charge (ACC) at $98,335, 37% of the total. That ranks New Westminster number 14 of 19 for a 4-plex.
6-plex, 6 units of 1,000 sq ft on the same lot: $371,207 total, $61,868 a unit, number 14 of 19. A duplex of two 1,400 sq ft units comes to $159,680.
Full line items: duplex, 4-plex, 6-plex.
What is changing
- Metro Vancouver's draft 2028 to 2030 DCC program would charge multiplexes of 3 or more units the apartment rate per unit and duplexes the townhouse rate. Not adopted. How the regional DCC works.
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: Langley City ($61,088 a unit), Surrey ($67,768 a unit). Compare all 19.
Background: what a DCC is, ACCs, school site charges, BC multiplex zoning rules.
New Westminster: rates on file
New Westminster is in Metro Vancouver, so regional water, sewer and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC also apply. Regional and TransLink lines are in the estimate above. Checked 2026-10-16.
| Charge | Rate | Status | Effective | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal DCCMainland rates, Schedule D of Bylaw 8327 as amended by 8539. Queensborough is higher (TH $137.49, apt $156.32 per m2). | Townhouse: $105.04 per m2; Apartment: $142.72 per m2 | Verified | 2026-01-12 | Source |
| Amenity cost chargeACC Bylaw 8540, 2025. Townhouse $240.56/m2, apartment $330.32/m2 of gross floor area. | Townhouse: $240.56 per m2; Apartment: $330.32 per m2 | To confirm | 2025-12-01 | Source |
| School site chargeSD 40 New Westminster | SD 40 SSAC Bylaw 2026-1 keeps the maximum provincial charges. | Provincial maximum | 2026-10-16 | Source |
| Building permit fee | Bylaw 7683. Plus $169 application fee (not included). | Verified | 2026-01-01 | Source |
Questions
How much are development fees on a 4-plex in New Westminster?
About $262,753, or $65,688 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 New Westminster?
Yes. New Westminster is in Metro Vancouver, so regional water, sewer and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC apply.
Does New Westminster charge an amenity cost charge?
Yes. Townhouse: $240.56 per m2; Apartment: $330.32 per m2.