Development Charges

• View current development charges (PDF)
• Summary of Development Charges Incentives (PDF)
• 2020 Annual Statement for the Development Charges Reserve Fund (FSD-021-21)
• 2020 Development Charges Background Study (PDF)

What are Development Charges?

Development charges are fees collected from developers and builders at the time a building permit is issued. The fees pay for a variety of growth related capital projects such as infrastructure. They also cover a variety of Municipal services including: library, fire facilities, indoor recreation, park development and facilities, roads, operations, parking and general government. The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer must submit an annual report to Council for the previous year's status of the Development Charges Reserve Funds. This report identifies the opening and closing balances, total of receipts and expenditures of the Development Charges Reserve Funds once the year-end financial statements have been audited. A copy of this report can be obtained by contacting the Clerk's Division.

Clarington Council passed By-law No. 2021-010 imposing development charges on residential and commercial development. Council also passed By-law No. 2021-011 to impose development charges against land to pay for rising capital costs required to provide increased services to support new development in the area.

It is important to realize that the Municipality of Clarington is not the only public authority that can impose development charges. The above information applies only to the Municipality's By-law. The Regional Municipality of Durham and the School Boards in this area have their own development charges by-laws. For more information on those charges and rates please contact Durham region or the School Boards directly.

When is a development charge imposed?

A development charge applies where a proposed residential or commercial building project requires:

• The passing of a zoning by-law, or an amendment to a zoning by-law
• The approval of a minor variance, which involves a change in use, intensification of use or expansion of uses
• The approval of a plan of subdivision
• The issuing of a building permit

Are there any credits or exemptions allowed?

A number of exemptions are legislated under the Development Charges Act. The Municipality's by-law provides exemptions/credits for housing intensification, agricultural uses, temporary buildings, certain institutional uses and industrial expansions, all subject to certain rules as stipulated in the by-law.

When are development charges due?

Generally, development charges are due when we issue a building permit. In exceptional cases where a land severance application was finalized prior to 1992, municipal development charges may have been paid. Record of payment is required. It is suggested the Region of Durham be contacted to confirm whether their development charges were also paid. The Development Charges By-law is reviewed every 5 years.

Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT)

People do not always agree on how their communities should grow. Disputes arise over community planning issues such as where to locate industrial development, or what types of municipal services to provide.

When people cannot resolve their differences on community planning issues, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) provides a public forum for discussion.

The OLT is an independent adjudicative tribunal that hears appeals and applications and resolves land use disputes. Members of the OLT are appointed by the Provincial government.

Some of the issues that the OLT deals with include:

• Official plans
• Zoning by-laws
• Subdivision plans
• Consents to sever land
• Minor variances
• Local by-laws
• Development charges
• Applications for aggregate licences, and compensation for expropriated land

For more information, please visit the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) website.