Estimate only, confirm with the city. Turn on JavaScript to run the numbers.
Who charges what in Burnaby
A new multiplex in Burnaby pays one-time charges to several bodies. The City of Burnaby collects its own development cost charge (DCC): Low density: $54,870 per unit; Townhouse: $37,423 per unit; Apartment: $25,360 per unit. Low density (1 building, max 2 primary units) per primary unit; medium density per unit; high density (apartment) per unit. Effective 2024-07-01.
Because Burnaby is in Metro Vancouver, the city also collects Metro Vancouver's regional water, sewer (VSA sewerage area) and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC for the Regional Transportation Development Cost Charge. On a 4-plex those regional lines add $90,844.
For schools, SD 41 Burnaby collects a school site charge.
Amenity cost charge (ACC): Low density: $26,963 per unit; Townhouse: $18,874 per unit; Apartment: $13,481 per unit. ACC bylaw amended July 28, 2026. Rates shown are those on the official rate table.
Building permit:
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: $343,927 total, $85,982 a unit. The biggest line is Burnaby municipal DCC at $149,692, 44% of the total. That ranks Burnaby number 16 of 19 for a 4-plex.
6-plex, 6 units of 1,000 sq ft on the same lot: $512,311 total, $85,385 a unit, number 17 of 19. A duplex of two 1,400 sq ft units comes to $230,949.
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: Surrey ($67,768 a unit), North Vancouver (District) ($94,069 a unit). Compare all 19.
Background: what a DCC is, ACCs, school site charges, BC multiplex zoning rules.
Burnaby: rates on file
Burnaby 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 DCCLow density (1 building, max 2 primary units) per primary unit; medium density per unit; high density (apartment) per unit. | Low density: $54,870 per unit; Townhouse: $37,423 per unit; Apartment: $25,360 per unit | Verified | 2024-07-01 | Source |
| Amenity cost chargeACC bylaw amended July 28, 2026. Rates shown are those on the official rate table. | Low density: $26,963 per unit; Townhouse: $18,874 per unit; Apartment: $13,481 per unit | Verified | 2024-07-01 | Source |
| School site chargeSD 41 Burnaby | Provincial schedule, $600 to $1,000 per unit by density | Provincial maximum | 2026-10-16 | Source |
| Building permit fee | Verified | 2026-01-01 | Source |
Questions
How much are development fees on a 4-plex in Burnaby?
About $343,927, or $85,982 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 Burnaby?
Yes. Burnaby is in Metro Vancouver, so regional water, sewer and parkland DCCs and the TransLink DCC apply.
Does Burnaby charge an amenity cost charge?
Yes. Low density: $26,963 per unit; Townhouse: $18,874 per unit; Apartment: $13,481 per unit.