SDC Sewer Surcharge Assistance Program
System Development Charges
System Development Charges (SDCs) help offset the impacts of new development on city infrastructure like sewer and water systems. When a business or property owner pays SDCs, they effectively purchase the sewer capacity needed to run their business.
Food and beverage businesses have a larger impact on city sewer and water infrastructure because of the level of use such businesses generate. To account for increased usage, applicants opening or remodeling food or beverage businesses may be required to pay a sewer surcharge in the form of additional System Development Charges.
Calculating Restaurant SDCs
Sewer SDCs start with a base fee and are increased by a count of indoor seating.
The base fee is charged for 0-12 seats with a per seat charge for each seat more than 12.
2026 Fees
| Seats | Fee |
|---|---|
| Base fee (0-12 seats) | $3,768.42 |
| Fee per seat more than 12 | $314.04 |
For example, a café proposing 10 seats would pay $3,768.42 in SDCs. A restaurant proposing 30 seats would owe $9,421.14 in SDCs.
Food and beverage facilities proposing 0 seats would pay the base fee.
Seat Credits May Apply
If the business that formerly occupied the space paid SDCs based on seating, seat credits may apply. For example, if SDCs for 30 seats were paid by the previous business owner and the new restaurant will have 45 seats, the new tenant will pay SDCs for 15 seats.
Sewer Surcharge Program
The City recognizes that SDCs constitute a substantial upfront cost for new business owners. In response, we have created a sewer surcharge program that allows eligible customers to finance SDCs over a 10-year period.
As part of the process, a loan agreement is recorded against the parcel and annual loan payments are made until the loan is paid off. Once the loan is paid off the City will record a satisfaction document removing the loan agreement from the title. Additionally, once the loan is paid off, the SDCs will be paid in full and the property will be vested for additional sewer capacity as allowed for in VMC 14.04.235(D).
Please note that there is a $25 application fee to participate in the program and all recording fees are the applicant’s responsibility.
To access the Municipal Code text please see VMC 14.04.235(KL)
To learn more about the program or apply, contact Shonda Thomas with City Engineering at: 360-487-7821 or shonda.thomas@cityofvancouver.us.
For more information on Business Assistance in the City of Vancouver, please contact Julie Arenz at: 360-487-7940 or smallbusiness@cityofvancouver.us.