Applicable Fees
The Building Division is responsible for collecting the following fees prior to building permit issuance:

1. 2010 Building Permit Fees
2. Development Charges (City, Region & School Boards) *
   • Development Charge By-Law 2009-91
   • Development Charge Background Study 2009
   • Development Charge Maps
   • Development Charge Rates
   • Development charges that apply in the City of Kitchener
   • Payment of Development Charges
   • Redevelopment Allowance
   • Rules for Determining if a Development Charge is Payable
   • Services to Which Development Charges Apply
3. Permit Rebate
4. Damage Deposit *
5. Storm Water Management Fee *
6. Development & Technical Services - Building and Planning Fees

When applying for a building permit, the applicable fee(s) are not required to be paid at this time. All fees must be paid prior to permit issuance. Unfortunately, we only accept cash or cheque - no debit or credit cards accepted.

NOTE: When sending a cheque to City Hall, don't forget to note "5th Floor" and note your application number on the cheque. Thank you in advance.

• 2010 Building Permit Fees

Development Charges
Development Charges are imposed to ensure that the capital cost of meeting growth related demands for services is met, but does not place a financial burden on existing taxpayers. They also ensure that new taxpayers bear no more than the net capital cost related to providing current levels of service.

Download the Development Charge Rate Maps below to determine your applicable rates.

• Core Area: Downtown & Warehouse District (Schedule 'C')
• Central Neighbourhoods (Schedule 'C1')
• Suburban Area (Schedule 'C2')

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Development Charge Rates
The applicable development charge rate is based on the property location. See the Development Charge Rate Maps above for additional information.

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Development charges that apply in the City of Kitchener

• City of Kitchener Development Charges
• Waterloo Regional District School Board - $637.00 per new residential unit*
• Waterloo Catholic District School Board - $112.00 per new residential unit*
• Region of Waterloo – Contact (519) 575-4421

* effective July 4, 2006
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Payment of Development Charges
Payment of Development Charges is made to the City of Kitchener, Development & Technical Services Department at the time of the issuance of a building permit at the rate in effect on the day the building permit is issued.

Payment of the Waterloo Region District School Board, Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Regional Development Charges, if applicable, may also be made to the City at the time of the issuance of a building permit.

Development Charge rates are adjusted annually as of January 1^st of each year.

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Redevelopment Allowance
Where any redevelopment of land replaces or changes a former or existing development, the Development Charge applicable to the redevelopment shall be reduced by a redevelopment allowance equal to the number of legally established residential units or, in the case of non-residential redevelopment, the legally established floor area.

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Rules for Determining if a Development Charge is Payable
Development Charges are payable on lands which, if developed or redeveloped for residential or non-residential use, would increase the need for services described below and if such development or redevelopment requires certain planning approvals or issuance of a building permit.

The By-law provides for exemptions from the payment of Development Charges for all lands within the Downtown and lands owned and used for the purposes of the Boards of Education, The City of Kitchener, The Regional Municipality and Provincial or Federal undertakings. The By-law may also exempt the following types of uses from the payment of Development Charges, please note exemptions have specific criteria that must be met, refer to By-law:

• Agricultural uses
• Additional dwelling units within existing dwellings
• Enlargements of public hospitals
• Enlargements of existing industrial building (50% of GFA)

Services to Which Development Charges Apply
The By-law imposes Residential and Non-Residential Development Charges and, in both instances, the Charges are based upon services to be provided by the City as follows:

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Damage Deposit
The Building Division collects a "damage deposit" on behalf of our Engineering Division. The damage deposit is to ensure the Road Allowance is not damaged during construction and if damaged and not repaired, the money collected will be used to make the necessary repairs. Damage deposit money is required to be paid prior to building permit issuance, The Building Division will provide an invoice indicating the fee description and the amount owing.

Cost: 2010 damage deposit rate is $95.00/metre of frontage.

How to obtain refund of the Damage Deposit
Once grading and all site works have been completed contact Design and Construction Technologist, Dan Kerr at 519-741-2413 (9th floor Engineering , City Hall) to request the damage deposit be refunded.  A site inspection will be performed and if no damages are found the damage deposit will be refunded. 

Please note once we process the refund the cheque will be mailed directly to the payor, this may take up to 3-4 weeks.

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Storm Water Management Fee
The Building Division collects a "Storm Water Management (SWM) Fee on applicable projects on behalf of our Engineering Division. The SWM fee is required to be paid prior to building permit issuance. Our Engineering Division can be reached at 519-741-2406 to obtain additional information regarding the SWM fee.

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