School site acquisition charges (SSAC) in BC

A school site acquisition charge (SSAC) helps a school district buy land for new schools. The district sets it, and the city collects it at subdivision or building permit and passes it on.

The amount is per unit and falls as density rises. Provincial regulation caps it: $1,000 a unit up to 21 units per hectare, $900 a unit up to 51 units per hectare, $800 a unit up to 126 units per hectare, $700 a unit up to 201 units per hectare, $600 a unit above that. Many districts charge less than the cap.

Density here means units per hectare of lot. A 4-plex on a 6,000 sq ft lot is about 72 units per hectare.

Not priced yet: Delta (SD 37 Delta), Mission (SD 75 Mission), West Vancouver (SD 45 West Vancouver). Those totals may run up to about $1,000 a unit low.

Sources: Province of BC, school site acquisition; School Site Acquisition Charge Regulation 17/2000. Checked 2026-10-16.

General information, not advice. Confirm with the city.