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Who charges what in Richmond
A new multiplex in Richmond pays one-time charges to several bodies. The City of Richmond collects its own development cost charge (DCC): Townhouse: $33.79 per sq ft; Apartment: $35.79 per sq ft. Rates per sq ft of dwelling unit, Bylaw 9499 consolidated. East Richmond may be in a different sewerage area. Effective 2024-07-24 (Bylaw 10558).
Because Richmond is in Metro Vancouver, the city also collects Metro Vancouver's regional water, sewer (LIWSA sewerage area) and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC for the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charge. On a 4-plex those regional lines add $72,180.
For schools, SD 38 Richmond collects a school site charge.
Amenity cost charge (ACC): Not yet recorded. Proposed ACC $12.27/sq ft townhouse from July 1, 2026; adoption not confirmed. Richmond is also adding a SSMUH DCC category (Bylaw 10732, third reading June 8, 2026).
Building permit: Bylaw 8636 as amended by 10702: $98.25 to $1,000; +$16.25 to $100,000; $1,707 +$14.00 to $300,000; $4,507 +$10.75 over. Construction value for up to 6 units is set by the city's per m2 table, so it can differ from this estimate.
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: $244,258 total, $61,064 a unit. The biggest line is Richmond municipal DCC at $148,676, 61% of the total. That ranks Richmond number 12 of 19 for a 4-plex.
6-plex, 6 units of 1,000 sq ft on the same lot: $342,892 total, $57,149 a unit, number 12 of 19. A duplex of two 1,400 sq ft units comes to $149,660.
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.
- ACC: To confirm: adoption not found
Not in these totals: Richmond amenity cost charge (ACC).
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: Port Moody ($55,831 a unit), Langley City ($61,088 a unit). Compare all 19.
Background: what a DCC is, ACCs, school site charges, BC multiplex zoning rules.
Richmond: rates on file
Richmond 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 DCCRates per sq ft of dwelling unit, Bylaw 9499 consolidated. East Richmond may be in a different sewerage area. | Townhouse: $33.79 per sq ft; Apartment: $35.79 per sq ft | Verified | 2024-07-24 (Bylaw 10558) | Source |
| Amenity cost chargeProposed ACC $12.27/sq ft townhouse from July 1, 2026; adoption not confirmed. Richmond is also adding a SSMUH DCC category (Bylaw 10732, third reading June 8, 2026). | Not yet recorded | To confirm | Source | |
| School site chargeSD 38 Richmond | Provincial schedule, $600 to $1,000 per unit by density | Provincial maximum | 2026-10-16 | Source |
| Building permit fee | Bylaw 8636 as amended by 10702: $98.25 to $1,000; +$16.25 to $100,000; $1,707 +$14.00 to $300,000; $4,507 +$10.75 over. Construction value for up to 6 units is set by the city's per m2 table, so it can differ from this estimate. | Verified | 2026-01-01 | Source |
Questions
How much are development fees on a 4-plex in Richmond?
About $244,258, or $61,064 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 Richmond?
Yes. Richmond is in Metro Vancouver, so regional water, sewer and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC apply.
Does Richmond charge an amenity cost charge?
We have no ACC rate on file for Richmond yet. Check with the city.