City of Langford Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2291, 2026

Executive Summary

Municipalities may collect Development Cost Charges (DCCs) to fund parkland acquisition and improvements, as well as other types of community infrastructure such as roads, storm drainage, police, and fire protection facilities. DCCs are collected at subdivision for single-family and duplex development, and at building permit for multi-family, commercial, institutional, and industrial development.

Funds collected through a DCC program are used to acquire land and complete improvements identified in the program. Alternatively, developers may construct the works as part of their development and receive credit toward DCCs payable.

The purpose of this report is to present Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2291, 2026, which would repeal and replace the existing Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2024, 2022, and to outline the background and rationale for the proposed amendments prior to Council’s consideration.

The City last completed a full review of its Parks DCC program in 2022. This update proposes to align the program with the recently completed Parks and Trails Master Plan and reflect best practice to refresh DCC programs every three to five years, supporting the City’s ability to acquire and improve parkland as the community grows.

Background

DCCs are a provincially regulated development finance tool established under Part 14, Division 19 of the Local Government Act. They allocate infrastructure costs between existing taxpayers and new development, helping communities recover the cost of off-site infrastructure needed to support growth.

Parks DCCs may fund parkland acquisition and basic park improvements, including trails, landscaping, washrooms, and playgrounds. They cannot fund needs related to the existing population, such as deficiencies or renewal, or for operations and maintenance of community and recreation buildings.

Some park-related items may instead be eligible under the Amenity Cost Charge (ACC) program recently adopted by Council.

Langford last completed a full review of its Parks DCC program in 2022. Following the recent Council approval of the Parks and Trails Master Plan, the Parks DCC Bylaw requires updating to support key land acquisitions and projects that align with ongoing development.

Commentary

The DCC bylaw update and rate development process is based on several technical and policy considerations. It begins by forecasting residential and non-residential growth and identifying where that growth will occur. Planned projects are then reviewed to determine their costs, timing, and role in supporting growth. Each project is evaluated to identify the share of benefits for new development and the existing community. Using this information, staff and consultants prepared the draft DCC rates, which were presented to Council at the June 29, 2026, Regular Council meeting.

The proposed Parks DCC bylaw program identifies projects needed to accommodate growth over the next 30 years. It uses the same land use categories as the ACC program, including single-family homes, duplexes, townhomes, condos or apartments, and commercial and industrial uses. The category definitions for single-family dwellings have been updated from the previous bylaw by increasing the lot size threshold from 300 square metres to 400 square metres, aligning them with the ACC bylaw categories.

The proposed Parks DCC rates combine land acquisition and park improvements into a single charge, whereas the previous bylaw calculated these costs separately. For a one-family, two-family, townhouse, and apartment dwelling, the proposed rates represent a 5.6% increase over the existing rates.

The proposed Parks DCC bylaw also includes the addition of commercial or industrial use, which does not currently exist under the existing program. Adding these categories is recommended to better align with the City’s other DCC and ACC bylaws, and local industry best practices.

In comparison to neighbouring municipalities, Langford’s Parks DCC rates will continue to be among the lowest. The proposed rate for commercial or industrial uses reflects anticipated employment growth and the value that parks contribute to commercial properties, such as hotels and to attract workers for these uses.

Consistent with best practices in the Local Government Act and the DCC Best Practices Guide, the City consulted the development community on the draft rates. A virtual engagement session was held on July 14, 2026, with members of the West Shore Developers Association as well as City staff and consultants.

Feedback received during this session was generally positive, with questions focused on the methodology used to determine the commercial and industrial rate, DCC in-stream protection provisions, and the option to pay DCCs by installments.

Unless a future effective date is specified, new DCC rates take effect upon bylaw adoption. In-stream protection applies to eligible applications submitted before adoption, provided the required subdivision approval or building permit is issued within one year.

Financial Implications

The purpose of a DCC program is to ensure that the infrastructure and park improvements needed to support future development are funded by that development. Any portion of a project that benefits existing residents is identified through the benefit allocation factor and must be funded through another source, such as reserves.

In addition, as per the legislation, the City must establish a municipal assist factor that must be at minimum 1%. The proposed Parks DCC program includes a 1% municipal assist factor for all projects. The funding of the 1% municipal assist factor must come from other funding sources (such as other reserves, grants or property taxation). Staff will include this contribution in the annual and five-year financial plans for Council’s review and approval.

Legal Implications

In British Columbia, DCC bylaws require statutory review by the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs and approval by the Inspector of Municipalities under the Local Government Act. This provincial review ensures that DCC calculations are consistent with legislation and best practices.

Following Ministry approval, this bylaw will return to Council for final adoption.

Strategic Plan Alignment

5bi – Ensure all budgets are fiscally sustainable.
6b – Develop a Parks and Trails Master Plan.

Options

Option 1

THAT Council give “City of Langford Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2291, 2026”, first, second, and third reading.

OR Option 2

THAT Council take no action at this time with respect to “City of Langford Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2291, 2026”

Submitted By

Megan Treleaven, Parks Planning & Research Coordinator

Concurrence: Yari Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
Concurrence: Melisa Miles, Manager of Legislative Services
Concurrence: Donna Petrie, Senior Manager of Communications & Economic Development
Concurrence: Leah Stohmann, RPP, MCIP, Director of Community Planning and Development
Concurrence: Katelyn Balzer, P.Eng., Director of Engineering and Public Works
Concurrence: Michael Dillabaugh, CPA, CA, Director of Finance
Concurrence: Braden Hutchins, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer

Attachments

1. City of Langford Parks DCC Background Report
2. City of Langford Parks Development Cost Charge Bylaw No. 2291, 2026