Development Charges
Development charges (DCs) are a cost-recovery tool municipalities collect on new developments to pay for the infrastructure required to provide municipal services including water, wastewater, roads, police and transit.
In York Region, development charges are used to fund growth-related capital construction programs and infrastructure that make housing growth possible, including:
Hard services
- Water, wastewater and roads
General services
- Transit including the Yonge North Subway Extension, Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension and York Region transit
- Police
- Paramedic/Ambulance
- Public health
- Long-term care/Seniors
- Court services
- Public works
- Waste diversion
- Growth studies
For more information, please contact the Manager, Development Financing Administration at 1-877-464-9675, Ext. 71696 or the Manager, Growth Economics and Finance at 1-877-464-9675, Ext. 71660
Current Studies, Bylaws and Related Resources
York Region's Development Charges Bylaws
Background Studies
Development Charge background studies are mandated under the Development Charges Act, 1997 in order to pass a Development Charge Bylaw. The current background studies are listed below:
Reserve Statement
As per the requirements of the Development Charges Act, 1997, the Region’s development charges reserve statements are provided below:
Deferrals, Exemptions and Pre-Paid Development Charges Credits
Development Charges Deferral Actions Approved in 2025
Earlier this year, York Regional Council approved several measures to provides some relief to the Region’s housing challenges.
View the Impacts on Development Charges on Housing Challenges page for more information on the approved and suggested actions as well as information about advocacy efforts.
Ground-Related Residential Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all ground-related residential buildings, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
This policy will be automatically repealed the day that Section 4 of Schedule 4 to Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, takes effect.
High-Rise Residential Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all high-rise residential buildings, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
This policy will be automatically repealed the day that Section 4 of Schedule 4 to Bill 17, Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025, takes effect.
Development Charges Deferral for High-Rise Residential Buildings
Large Office Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all office buildings that are a minimum of four (4) storeys, above grade, a minimum of 75,000 square feet of gross floor area and located on the Regional Centres and Corridors, Major Transit Station Areas , or on specific Local Centres, for those local municipalities without lands on Regional Centres and Corridors, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Office Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all office buildings (that are not ‘large’), subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Retail Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all retail buildings, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Open Air Motor Vehicle Storage Structures
This development charge deferral is available for open air motor vehicle storage structures in the Regional Municipality of York, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in the policy.
Development Charge Deferral for Open Air Motor Vehicle Storage
Non-Luxury Rental Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all non-luxury rental buildings, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Development Charges Deferral for Non-Luxury Rental Buildings
Rental Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to all rental buildings (that are not non-luxury), subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Affordable Rental Buildings
This development charges deferral is available to affordable rental buildings located in the Urban Area, Towns and Villages, on Regional Centres and Corridors, Major Transit Station Areas, or on specific Local Centres for those local municipalities without lands on Regional Centres and Corridors, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Development Charges Deferral for Affordable Rental Buildings
Rental Development Charges Incentives
Note: Development charges discounts, provided under the Act, can be used together with the Region’s 3-year DC deferral program and must be used, as a qualifying condition, for the Region’s Non-Luxury Rental development charges deferral. Installment payments cannot be used together with any of the Region’s DC deferral programs. It is the developer’s prerogative whether they use installment payments, under the Act, or the Region’s DC deferral program.
| Rental Incentive | Detail |
|---|---|
| Development Charges Act, 1997* | |
| Discounts | Less than 2 bedrooms – 15% discount 2 Bedroom – 20% discount 3 Bedroom plus – 25% discount |
| Instalment Payments | In equal annual instalments, beginning at occupancy permit/first occupancy and continuing for five years |
| York Region Development Charges exemptions and deferrals | Full or partial development charges exemptions for private and non-profit developers of affordable rental housing under the Municipal Housing Facilities Bylaw Development charges deferrals for rental buildings, the duration of which ranges as follows: 3 years – no affordability requirement, available Region-wide Change of Use – Average Market Rents that are less than, or equal to, 200% of Average Market Rent for private apartments by bedroom type, available Region-wide |
*Note: Affordable rental are eligible for a full development charge exemption under section 4.1 of the Development Charges Act, 1997. Affordable rental has been defined as the lesser of 30% of local municipal gross household income for renter households at the 6th income decile or the average market rent as defined in the Affordable Residential Units bulletin. Subject to section 4.2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, non-profit housing may be eligible for a full development charges exemption. For more information on this, or the other incentives listed above, please contact the Manager, Development Financing Administration at 1-877-464-9675, Ext. 71696. | |
York Region Rental Deferrals vs Provincial Installment Payments
| Area | Region's Rental Development Charges (DC) Deferral Programs | Rental* Installment Payments - Development Charges Act, 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 -years or until change of use | 5 years |
| When does deferral begin | Building Permit: applications Pre-January 1, 2020 Occupancy Permit or First Occupancy: applications January 1, 2020, and after | Occupancy Permit or First Occupancy: only applies to Applications January 1, 2020, and after |
| When are DCs paid | At end of deferral term (3 years or when the use changes) | |
| Interest rate levied | Subject to terms of deferral policies | |
| Interest start date | Subject to terms of deferral policies | Subject to the rules under the Development Charges Act, 1997 |
| Security required | Yes – Collateral mortgage, Letter of Credit or Pay-on-Demand Surety Bond | Not applicable |
| Agreement | Yes | Yes |
*Rental is defined as building or structure with four or more residential units all of which are intended for use as rented residential premises
First time Home Buyers Development Charges Equivalent Rebate
A policy governing Regional rebate of development charges and area-specific development charges for first time homebuyers that meet policy criteria. This policy will only take effect upon receipt of new, dedicated funding from other levels of government to offset any associated costs of the rebate.
Exemptions
Some exemptions are available. Please review the Development Charge Bylaw and the Development Charges Act, 1997 or contact York Region staff for more information.
Pre-paid Development Charges Credits
York Region may agree to give Development Charge credits for work that builds Regional infrastructure. View the development charge credit policy.
Security Options
The Region may accept the following as security, at its discretion:
- A form of security will be taken and registered against the title to the land at the execution of the development charges deferral agreement with the Region
- A Pay-On-Demand Surety Bond, subject to the Region’s Surety Bond Policy, as amended, revised, re-enacted or consolidated from time to time
- A sample Pay-On-Demand Bond form is provided
- A Letter of Credit, subject to the Region’s Letter of Credit Policy, as amended, revised, re-enacted or consolidated from time to time.
Interest and Indexing
Development Charge Interest Policy
Under sections 26.2 and 26.3 of the Development Charges Act, 1997
Effective January 1, 2020, this policy applies to the charging of interest, as permitted under sections 26.2 and 26.3 of the Development Charges Act, 1997.
This includes all types of development in York Region:
- Under section 26.2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997, where an application for approval of development in a site plan control area under subsection 41(4) of the Planning Act, 1990 has been made, or where an application for an approval of a development in a site plan control area under subsection 41(4) of the Planning Act has not been made, but where an application has been made for an amendment to a bylaw passed under section 34 of the Planning Act, 1990
Indexing
Development Charge rates are adjusted each year to match the economy. This is called indexing and does not require an amendment to the bylaw.
Unless otherwise noted, adjustments are made on:
- November 8 — Only for GO Transit DC Rates
- July 1 — For all rates except GO Transit rates
Residential Subdivisions and Site Plans
The Development Charges for water, wastewater and roads are due during the planning stage for residential subdivisions. Developers must enter into a Regional Development Charge Agreement and pay these fees when they register their subdivision plans, before applying for a building permit.
The remaining Development Charges are due when the building permit is issued. For residential site plans, all development charges are due at building permit issuance. Building permits are issued by the local municipalities.
Single and Semi-Detached Dwellings
Development Charges due when entering into a Regional Development Charge Agreement:
- Water: $10,916
- Wastewater: $25,532*
- Roads: $31,570
- Total: $68,018
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $17,661 and the total due at this time is $60,147.
Development Charges due when the building permit is issued:
- Transit: $9,373
- Subway Toronto-York: $4,203
- Subway Yonge-North: $7,115
- General Services: $4,125
- GO Transit: $433
- Total: $25,249
Multiple Unit Dwellings
Charges due when entering into a Regional Development Charge Agreement:
- Water: $9,081
- Wastewater: $21,242*
- Roads: $26,266
- Total: $56,589
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $14,970 and the total due at this time is $50,317.
Development Charges due when the building permit is issued:
- Transit: $7,798
- Subway - Toronto-York: $3,498
- Subway - Yonge-North: $5,920
- General Services: $3,431
- GO Transit: $340
- Total: $20,987
Apartments
All development charges for apartments are due at building permit issuance.
Apartments That are 700 Square Feet or More
- Water: $7,047
- Wastewater: $16,486*
- Roads: $20,384
- Subtotal: $43,917
- Transit: $6,052
- Subway - Toronto-York: $2,714
- Subway - Yonge-North: $4,595
- General Service: $2,661
- GO Transit: $250
- Total: $60,189
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $11,062 and the total due at this time is $54,765.
Apartments That are Less Than 700 Square Feet
- Water: $4,583
- Wastewater: $10,722*
- Roads: $13,257
- Subtotal: $28,562
- Transit: $3,936
- Subway - Toronto-York: $1,765
- Subway - Yonge North: $2,987
- General Services: $1,732
- GO Transit: $158
- Total: $39,140
*In Nobleton, the Development Charge for wastewater is $7,612, and the total due at this time is $36,030.
Industrial, Office and Institutional Developments
All Development Charges are due when the building permit is issued. Building permits are issued by the local municipalities.
Regional DCs for Industrial, Office and Institutional Developments (Except in Nobleton)
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $3.39 | $36.49 |
| Wastewater | $8.02 | $86.33 |
| Roads | $10.44 | $112.38 |
| Transit | $3.09 | $33.26 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $1.39 | $14.96 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $2.39 | $25.73 |
| General | $1.01 | $10.87 |
| Total | $29.73 | $320.02 |
Regional DCs for Industrial, Office and Institutional Developments (In Nobleton)
The Development Charge for wastewater is different in Nobleton.
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $3.39 | $36.49 |
| Wastewater | $7.13 | $76.75 |
| Roads | $10.44 | $112.38 |
| Transit | $3.09 | $33.26 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $1.39 | $14.96 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $2.39 | $25.73 |
| General | $1.01 | $10.487 |
| Total | $28.84 | $310.44 |
Retail Developments
All Development Charges are due when the building permit is issued. Building permits are issued by the local municipalities.
Regional DCs for Retail Developments (Except in Nobleton)
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $5.15 | $55.43 |
| Wastewater | $12.07 | $129.92 |
| Roads | $33.39 | $359.41 |
| Transit | $9.63 | $103.66 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.40 | $47.36 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $7.21 | $77.61 |
| General | $2.04 | $21.96 |
| Total | $73.89 | $795.35 |
Regional DCs for Retail Developments (In Nobleton)
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $5.15 | $55.43 |
| Wastewater | $7.13 | $76.75 |
| Roads | $33.39 | $359.41 |
| Transit | $9.63 | $103.66 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.40 | $47.36 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $7.21 | $77.61 |
| General | $2.04 | $21.96 |
| Total | $68.95 | $742.18 |
Hotel Developments
All Development Charges are due when the building permit is issued. Building permits are issued by the local municipalities.
Regional DCs for Hotel Developments (Except in Nobleton)
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $1.11 | $11.95 |
| Wastewater | $2.60 | $27.99 |
| Roads | $5.52 | $59.42 |
| Transit | $1.66 | $17.87 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $0.76 | $8.18 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $1.27 | $13.67 |
| General | $0.37 | $3.98 |
| Total | $13.29 | $143.06 |
Development Charges for Hotel Developments (In Nobleton).
Hotel developments were not put in their own class in the Nobleton area-specific bylaw No. 2021.34.
The retail development charge rate would apply for hotel developments in Nobleton.
Regional DCs for Hotel Developments (In Nobleton)
Hotel developments were not put in their own class in the Nobleton area-specific bylaw No. 2016-40. The retail development charge rate would apply for hotel developments in Nobleton.
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $5.15 | $55.43 |
| Wastewater | $7.13 | $76.75 |
| Roads | $33.39 | $359.41 |
| Transit | $9.63 | $103.66 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.40 | $47.36 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $7.21 | $77.61 |
| General | $2.04 | $21.96 |
| Total | $68.95 | $742.18 |
Historic Archived Documents
Historic Development Charge related documents including bylaws, rate pamphlets, reserve fund statements and background studies can be requested by contacting @email
