Development Charges
Regional Development Charges (DCs) are fees collected on new residential and non-residential development in York Region. Regional Development Charge rates posted below are effective as of November 8, 2024.
Development Charges are used to fund York Region’s growth-related capital construction programs and infrastructure, which currently includes:
- Hard services
- water, wastewater and roads
- General services
- Yonge North Subway Extension, Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension, transit, police, waste diversion, public health, public works, ambulance services, court services, long-term care/seniors services and 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
Residential Subdivisions
The Development Charges for water, wastewater and roads are due during the planning stage. 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. 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: $10,516
- Wastewater: $24,597*
- Roads: $30,414
- Total: $65,527
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $17,014 and the total due at this time is $57,944.
Development Charges due when the building permit is issued:
- Transit: $9,030
- Subway Toronto-York: $4,049
- Subway Yonge-North: $6,855
- General Services: $3,974
- GO Transit: $433
- Total: $24,341
Multiple Unit Dwellings
Charges due when entering into a Regional Development Charge Agreement:
- Water: $8,749
- Wastewater: $20,464*
- Roads: $25,304
- Total: $54,517
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $14,422 and the total due at this time is $48,475.
Development Charges due when the building permit is issued:
- Transit: $7,513
- Subway - Toronto-York: $3,370
- Subway - Yonge-North: $5,703
- General Services: $3,306
- GO Transit: $340
- Total: $20,232
Apartments
All development charges for apartments are due at building permit issuance.
Apartments That are 700 Square Feet or More
All development charges are due at building permit issuance.
- Water: $6,789
- Wastewater: $15,882*
- Roads: $19,638
- Subtotal: $42,309
- Transit: $5,830
- Subway - Toronto-York: $2,615
- Subway - Yonge-North: $4,427
- General Service: $2,564
- GO Transit: $250
- Total: $57,995
*In Nobleton the Development Charge for wastewater is $10,657 and the total due at this time is $52,763.
Apartments That are Less Than 700 Square Feet
- Water: $4,415
- Wastewater: $10,329*
- Roads: $12,772
- Subtotal: $27,516
- Transit: $3,792
- Subway - Toronto-York: $1,700
- Subway - Yonge North: $2,878
- General Services: $1,669
- GO Transit: $158
- Total: $37,713
*In the Nobleton area-specific by-law No. 2016-40, the delineation point for small and large apartments is 650 square feet. As such, an apartment of less than 700 square feet in Nobleton could be levied one of two development charges for wastewater. Wastewater rates for apartments under 700 square feet in Nobleton:
- 650 square feet or more: $10,657
- Less than 650 square feet: $7,333
Therefore, depending on the square footage of an apartment in Nobleton, the total due at this time is $52,763 or $34,712.
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 | $3.27 | $35.20 |
| Wastewater | $7.73 | $83.21 |
| Roads | $10.06 | $108.28 |
| Transit | $2.98 | $32.08 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $1.34 | $14.42 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $2.30 | $24.76 |
| General | $0.97 | $10.45 |
| Total | $28.65 | $308.40 |
Development Charges for Industrial, Office and Institutional Developments (Except in Nobleton)
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 | $3.27 | $35.20 |
| Wastewater | $6.87 | $73.95 |
| Roads | $10.06 | $108.28 |
| Transit | $2.98 | $32.08 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $1.34 | $14.42 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $2.30 | $24.76 |
| General | $0.97 | $10.45 |
| Total | $27.79 | $299.14 |
Development Charges for Industrial, Office and Institutional Developments (In Nobleton)
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 | $4.96 | $53.39 |
| Wastewater | $11.63 | $125.18 |
| Roads | $32.17 | $346.27 |
| Transit | $9.28 | $99.89 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.24 | $45.64 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $6.95 | $74.81 |
| General | $1.97 | $21.20 |
| Total | $71.20 | $766.38 |
Development Charges for Retail Developments (Except in Nobleton)
Regional DCs for Retail Developments (In Nobleton)
| Service | Per Square Foot of Gross Floor Area | Per Square Metre of Gross Floor Area |
|---|---|---|
| Water | $4.96 | $53.39 |
| Wastewater | $6.87 | $73.95 |
| Roads | $32.17 | $346.27 |
| Transit | $9.28 | $99.89 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.24 | $45.64 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $6.95 | $74.81 |
| General | $1.97 | $21.20 |
| Total | $66.44 | $715.15 |
Development Charges for Retail Developments (In Nobleton)
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 | $1.07 | $11.52 |
| Wastewater | $2.50 | $26.91 |
| Roads | $5.32 | $57.26 |
| Transit | $1.60 | $17.22 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $0.73 | $7.86 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $1.22 | $13.13 |
| General | $0.36 | $3.88 |
| Total | $12.80 | $137.78 |
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 | $4.96 | $53.39 |
| Wastewater | $6.87 | $73.95 |
| Roads | $32.17 | $346.27 |
| Transit | $9.28 | $99.89 |
| Subway - Toronto-York | $4.24 | $45.64 |
| Subway - Yonge North | $6.95 | $74.81 |
| General | $1.97 | $21.20 |
| Total | $66.44 | $715.15 |
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.
Development Charge Interest Policy
Under sections 26.1, 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 26.1, 26.2 and 26.3 of the Development Charges Act, 1997.
This includes all types of development in York Region:
- That are eligible for instalment payments under section 26.1 of the Development Charges Act, 1997
- 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
Deferral Options
Retail Buildings
Payment will be deducted from the Letter of Credit through three equal yearly payments.
Development Charges Deferral for Retail Buildings
High-Rise Residential Buildings
Payment will be deducted from the Letter of Credit at whichever of the following comes first:
- 18 months after the building permit for the high rise condominium, a minimum of four (4) storeys, is issued
- When the condominium is registered
Development Charges Deferral for High-Rise Residential Buildings
Office Buildings
This 18-month deferral is available for office buildings, a minimum of four (4) storeys, in the Regional Municipality of York subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Development Charges Deferral for Office Buildings
Large Office Buildings
This policy is available for 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.
Development Charges Deferral for Large Office Buildings
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 Storages
Purpose-Built Rental Buildings
This 36-month deferral is available for purpose-built rental buildings in the Regional Municipality of York subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Development Charge Deferral for Purpose-Built Rental Buildings
Affordable, Purpose-Built Rental Buildings
This policy may apply to affordable, purpose-built rental buildings located within the boundaries of the Urban Area and Towns and Villages as identified in York Region Official Plan, Map 1 Regional Structure, subject to the terms and conditions as set out in this policy.
Development Charges Deferral for Affordable, Purpose-Built Rental Buildings
Purpose-Built Rental Development Charges Incentives
Note: Development charges discounts, provided under the Act, can be used together with the Region’s 3-20-year DC deferral program. Installment payments cannot be used together with the Region’s 3–20-year DC deferral program. 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 |
| Installment Payments | In equal annual installments, 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 |
Interest free development charges deferrals for purpose built rental buildings, the duration of which ranges as follows:
| |
*Note: When proclaimed, affordable rental will be 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 forthcoming 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 v. Provincial Installment Payments
| Area | Region’s Rental Development Charges (DC) Deferral Programs | Rental* Installment Payments – Development Charges Act, 1997 |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 3 - 20 years | 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 – 20 years) | 6 installments over 5 years, starting at occupancy permit or first occupancy |
| Interest rate levied | Not applicable – Subject to terms of deferral policies | Prime plus 1%, as defined under the Development Charges Act, 1997 |
| Interest start date | Not applicable – Subject to terms of deferral policies | Building Permit |
| Security required | Yes – Registered on title (e.g., collateral mortgage) | 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
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.
Development Charges Credits
York Region may agree to give Development Charge credits for work that builds Regional infrastructure. See the Road Works Development Charge Credit: A Guideline for Applicants for more information on how to request a credit. The Development Charge Credit Process Flowchart explains the approval process.
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.
Adjustments are scheduled on:
- July 1, 2025 — For all rates except GO Transit rates
- November 8, 2025 — Only for GO Transit DC Rates
Development Charges Bylaws
Development Charges 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:
Archives
The historical background studies are listed below:
- May 2018 - The Regional Municipality of York Approved 2018 Development Charge Background Study
- May 2017 - The Regional Municipality of York Approved 2017 Development Charge Background Study
- 2016 Regional Municipality of York Nobleton Area-Specific Development Charge Background Study
- 2012 Regional Municipality of York Development Charges Background Study
Reporting
As per the requirements of the Development Charges Act, 1997, the Region’s development charges reserve statements are provided below:
