Properly planned growth in our city is good for everyone, but with new development comes costs to accommodate the new development. This usually includes roads, water and sewer infrastructure, community centres and fire protection.

On this page:

  1. How we set development charges
  2. Bill 108
  3. Central neighbourhood rates
  4. Suburban area rates
  5. Other charges
  6. How to pay your fees
  7. Development charge annual statements

How we set development charges

The fees we charge are regulated by Ontario's Development Charges Act, a set of guidelines every municipality in the province must follow.

We conduct a background study on every new development to determine the fees we'll charge. Each study includes:

  • a forecast of the number, type and location of planned housing units, population and non-residential development expected in the city
  • the average capital service levels we've provided over the previous 10 years
  • future capital projects, which includes analyzing gross expenditures, funding sources and net expenditures that we've either incurred or will incur, to support the expected development

For more information, read the 2022 Development Charges Background Study and the 2022 Development Charges Bylaw.

Bill 108

Please see the Bill 108 letter from our building division for information on:

  • deferral of development charges
  • freezing of development charges

Central neighbourhood rates

Open a map of the central neighbourhood areas

Please note that these charges are subject to change. Reference the 2022 bylaw for clarification.

Rates for permits issued after December 1, 2024

Residential

  • single detached or semi-detached dwelling: $20,419 per dwelling unit
  • townhouse or row dwelling: $14,341 per dwelling unit
  • multiple dwelling (condo): $10,324 per dwelling unit
  • lodging house: $5,801 per dwelling unit

Residential rental units – multiple dwelling

The rates for the rental housing development (development for a building or structure with four or more dwelling units all of which are intended for use as rented residential premises), are reduced as per the following:

  • residential unit with three or more bedrooms reduced by 25% ($7,743)
  • residential unit with two bedrooms reduced by 20% ($8,259)
  • residential unit with one bedroom or bachelor units reduced by 15% ($8,775)

Non-residential

  • $30.82 per square metre of gross floor area of building or $2.86 per square foot

Suburban rates

Open a map of the suburban area

Please note that these charges are subject to change. Reference the 2022 bylaw for clarification.

Rates for permits issued after December 1, 2024

Full service residential

  • single detached/semi-detached/duplex dwelling: $30,401 per dwelling unit
  • townhouse or row dwelling: $21,351 per dwelling unit
  • multiple dwelling (condo): $15,371 per dwelling unit
  • lodging house: $8,638 per dwelling unit

Residential rental units – multiple dwelling

The rates for the rental housing development (development for a building or structure with four or more dwelling units all of which are intended for use as rented residential premises), are reduced as per the following:

  • residential unit with three or more bedrooms reduced by 25% ($11,528)
  • residential unit with two bedrooms reduced by 20% ($12,297)
  • residential unit with one bedroom or bachelor units reduced by 15% ($13,065)

Partial services residential (no sanitary sewer services)

  • single detached/semi-detached/duplex dwelling: $25,079 per dwelling unit
  • townhouse or row dwelling: $17,613 per dwelling unit
  • multiple dwelling (condo): $12,681 per dwelling unit
  • lodging house: $7,125 per dwelling unit

Partial services residential (no sanitary sewer services) rental units – multiple dwelling

The rates for the rental housing development (development for a building or structure with four or more dwelling units all of which are intended for use as rented residential premises), are reduced as per the following:

  • residential unit with three or more bedrooms reduced by 25% ($9,511)
  • residential unit with two bedrooms reduced by 20% ($10,145)
  • residential unit with one bedroom or bachelor units reduced by 15% ($10,779)

Partial services residential (no sanitary sewer or water services)

  • single detached/semi-detached/duplex dwelling: $24,556 per dwelling unit
  • townhouse or row dwelling: $17,246 per dwelling unit
  • multiple dwelling (condo): $12,416 per dwelling unit
  • lodging house: $6,977 per dwelling unit

Non-residential development

  • full services: $93.11 per square metre or $8.65 per square foot
  • partial services with no sanitary sewer services: $59.68 per square metre or $5.54 per square foot
  • partial services with no sanitary sewer or water services: $56.38 per square metre or $5.24 per square foot

Other charges

Other local organizations also charge development fees:

How to pay your fees

We collect payment of all development charges, including fees charged by the Region of Waterloo and the school boards, when we issue your building permit.

The rates charged are the rates in effect the day the building permit is issued, unless noted otherwise in the Development Charges Act.

Development charge annual statements

In accordance with the Development Charges Act section 43(2.1)(a), these development charge statements are available for download: