Vancouver has introduced a series of financial and procedural reforms aimed at helping residential developments move forward amid tighter margins and rising costs. By changing how and when fees are collected, while reducing regulatory friction, the city is trying to make it easier for housing projects to proceed.Deferring Large Development ChargesOne of the most significant changes is the deferral of Development Cost Levies (DCLs), a type of charge that developers pay to help fund public amenities. Under the updated policy, developers with DCL obligations over $500,000 can now spread their payments across three installments: the first at permit issuance, the second at 18 months, and the third at 36 months. Projects with lower DCL amounts can defer 50% until occupancy. These changes aim to ease cashflow pressure at the early stages of construction, which is often the most financially vulnerable period for projects.Community Amenity Contributions (CACs), which apply during rezonings, have also been made more flexible. The portion that must be paid upfront at the time of rezoning has been reduced from $20 million to $5 million. The remaining amount can now be secured using an on-demand surety bond rather than a cash payment or irrevocable letter of credit.Eliminating Redundant Servicing RequirementsIn addition to easing payment timelines, the City of Vancouver is adjusting certain technical approval processes to remove steps that were slowing projects without adding substantial value. Specifically, the requirement to complete a rezoning utility servicing review before development permit submission has been eliminated. The city has determined that much of the same work is repeated during the development permit stage, making the initial servicing step redundant in most cases.This change is expected to reduce wait times and uncertainty in the rezoning process, particularly for larger projects that previously needed to submit detailed infrastructure information far in advance of actual permit issuance.Suspending Index-Linked Fee IncreasesInflation indexing of several city-imposed fees has also been temporarily paused. Development fees in Vancouver are normally adjusted annually in line with inflation, but this practice has now been suspended for two years. The rationale is to avoid compounding cost pressures during a period of economic volatility and to give builders more predictability in their financial modelling.This suspension applies to a range of charges, including rezoning, permitting, and infrastructure-related fees, all of which can add materially to total project costs.A Targeted Response to Current ConditionsThese changes reflect a broader recognition that traditional fee structures and approval timelines may not align with current market realities, especially for mid-rise and high-density projects. By reducing the capital required upfront and delaying some municipal charges, Vancouver aims to provide developers with more room to navigate lending challenges and cashflow constraints. These measures are not direct subsidies or tax breaks; instead, they function as liquidity relief tools, shifting obligations into future phases of development where revenue may be more certain.The use of surety bonds in place of letters of credit helps reduce the need for cash or tied-up financing during early phases, while still allowing the city financial security in the event of project default.A Shift in ApproachInstead of imposing full fees and long review cycles upfront, the city is shifting toward a model that recognizes the timing and risk structure of real estate development. As other municipalities across British Columbia consider similar measures, Vancouver’s adjustments may serve as a case study in how policy levers can be used to keep housing supply efforts moving.