Sidney Town Council has moved to modernize how the community funds infrastructure by giving three readings to a new development fee bylaw during its April 27, 2026 meeting. This update to the Development Cost Charge program is expected to generate more than $22 million over the next 20 years to pay for water, sewer, drainage, roads, and parks needed to support growth in the town.
The current fee structure has not been updated since 1998 and no longer covers the actual costs of modern construction. By bringing the bylaw up to date, the town aims to better align infrastructure funding with current needs. The proposal follows work by Urban Systems Ltd. to ensure the new rates reflect modern standards.
Under the new rules, fees for developers would vary by housing type. Proposed charges are set at $17,736 for each low-density residential lot or unit, $10,378 per medium-density unit, and $6,890 per high-density unit. These rates were adjusted following feedback from the Urban Development Institute, leading to a reduction in the town’s portion of annual project funding to $971,000 per year.
The bylaw now moves to the Provincial Inspector of Municipalities for mandatory review and approval before it can be finalized. To ensure a smooth transition, projects already in the application process will have 12 months after the bylaw is officially adopted to secure building permits under the existing, older rates.
The town is also working on a separate initiative to introduce Amenity Cost Charges to help fund community facilities, which will be considered in a future step. Additionally, a separate bylaw regarding potential fee waivers and reductions will be brought forward for review before the final adoption of the updated development fees.
