Development Application Fees increasing June 15th, 2023

The Municipal Council of North Cowichan adopted the Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 3894, 2023 on March 1st, 2023. This will result in changes to fees and charges for various services provided by the municipality. Among the changes are increases to development application fees (but not building permit fees). The increased fees are intended shift more of the cost of managing development from general taxation to development applicants and to generate additional revenue that can be used to improve service and reduce application processing times.

Implementation of the new development application fees will not take effect until June 15, 2023 to allow those who are preparing development applications an opportunity to complete and submit their applications before the new fees are applied.

Fees and Charges Amendment Bylaw 3894, 2023 proposes to establish fees over multiple years and to update the fees in relation to development applications, water and sewer user rates and fees for use of parks and recreation facilities. Council gave Bylaw 3894 three readings and is expected to consider adoption of the bylaw at the March 1, 2023 Council meeting. If passed, the new development application fees would not take effect until June 15, 2023 .

A staff report was presented to the Committee of the Whole regarding proposed increases to development application fees. In response to the report the Committee passed the following motions:

1. THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to prepare an amendment to the Fees and Charges Bylaw to increase development application fees as per Attachment 1 to the December 13, 2022 report from the Director of Planning and Building.

2. THAT the Committee of the Whole direct staff to include anticipated revenue from increased development application fees in the 2023 budget and allocate the additional fee revenue to expenditures on service level improvements.