The BC government introduced Bill 11 - Vancouver Charter Amendment Act, 2024 on March 13, 2024, that, if passed, would recognize First Nations as a level of government qualifying for exemptions from Vancouver's development cost levy and amenity cost charge on social housing projects built on their land.

The bill would grant First Nations and First Nation corporations the same exemptions currently applied to federal and provincial governments, the City of Vancouver and non-profit organizations.

Local First Nations have the potential to be a significant supplier of housing. Bill 11 is intended to reduce costs for First Nations creating social housing.

Development cost levies and amenity cost charges currently don’t apply on reserve lands within the City of Vancouver.

The proposed legislation relates specifically to privately held lands owned by First Nations. This would include the soon-to-be-developed Jericho Lands.

A development cost levy is a charge the city can impose on a property developer to fund specific:

• city infrastructure such as parks and childcare facilities; and
• engineering infrastructure such as water and roads.

An amenity cost charge is a new development finance tool, introduced by Bill 46 in fall 2023, allowing local governments to collect funds for amenities that provide for increased population resulting from new development. 

Read Bill 11.

Read the government news release.