Key Decisions of Kitchener Council: April 13, 2026
Key decisions of Council is a summary of major discussion items presented at Kitchener City Council meetings. It is circulated immediately following each meeting. Please refer to the minutes for an official record of the meeting.
This month, Council advanced Kitchener’s growth and livability by extending development charge stability, investing $264K in community grants, and approving new protections against bad‑faith evictions.
Council approves extension of Kitchener’s development charges by‑law
Kitchener City Council has approved the extension of the City’s current development charges (DC) by‑law, which was set to expire in 2027. The decision allows the City to maintain existing DC rates while staff continue detailed financial planning work in response to uncertainty in growth forecasts and the timing of growth‑related infrastructure projects.
The Council’s decision reflects several external factors affecting the City’s DC revenues, including recent provincial legislative changes that impact when charges are collected, legislated exemptions and discounts, and temporary water capacity constraints identified by the Region of Waterloo. Together, these factors could place the City’s DC reserve funds into a significant deficit position if no mitigation action is taken.
By extending the current by‑law, the City will continue charging existing DC rates, which remain competitive with nearby municipalities. To support responsible long‑term growth, the City is developing a financial plan. This work will help inform future decisions as part of the City’s 2027 Budget.
To learn more, read the report online.
City Council invests $264,000 in 2026 community grants to support local organizations
Kitchener Council has approved $264,012 in 2026 Tier 2 Community Grants to support local not‑for‑profit organizations. Organizations providing municipal services across the city in the following sectors are eligible for funding:
- Delivering arts and culture
- Special events
- Sports and recreation
- Community support initiatives.
These grants help strengthen neighbourhoods by investing in new and emerging organizations and initiatives that benefit residents, with funding recommendations informed by a peer and staff review committee under the City’s community investment policy.
To learn more, read the report online.
Council moves forward on Rental Renovation Licensing By-law
The Kitchener City Council has approved a Rental Renovation Licensing By-law designed to protect tenants from bad‑faith evictions while still allowing legitimate renovation work to move forward.
Informed by extensive research and engagement with tenants, landlords, community organizations, advocacy groups, and legal and housing service providers, the by-law creates a licensing process that requires a per‑unit licence for any renovation that needs a tenant to vacate their unit, as triggered by the service of an N13 notice. It also establishes a fee structure and provides additional staffing to support administration, inspections, and enforcement.
This initiative strengthens the City’s commitment to secure, affordable housing and to building stronger, more connected neighbourhoods.
To learn more, read the report online.