Development Charges

The new Regional Development Charge (DC) Background Study and proposed DC by-law, along with the amending Development Charge By-laws and Development Charge Background Studies for Regional Transit Services and GO Transit Services, are now available. Durham’s current Development Charge (DC) By-Law expires on July 1, 2023 and must be renewed. The DC Background Study provides additional details about the new rates and the public consultation meetings will be held on April 12.

The proposed DC rates would be phased-in over the next five years with a twenty per cent discount in the first year. Durham’s DC rates are set to increase over the current rates, due in part to the ongoing rise in construction costs. It costs significantly more to build a new road and install watermains than it did five years ago. The Region believes that growth should pay for growth, and that tax and rate payers should not have to see their rates increase because of growth-related costs. Without an increase in DCs to partially recover the costs of new communities built by developers, the costs would have to be paid by existing tax and rate payers in Durham.

DC background studies follow a clearly defined process set out by the province and are governed by strict regulations that leave little room for interpretation. Durham’s study was undertaken in collaboration with Watson & Associates, a well-known firm specializing in DCs.

Durham Region is one of Ontario’s fastest growing municipalities. Preparing for this growth requires significant Regional infrastructure investments to ensure new communities have the services they need to thrive. Even with an increase in DCs to meet growth needs, Durham’s average DC rate would remain below the provincial average, as it has historically been. 

We want to hear from you. Everyone is encouraged to participate in upcoming public meetings on the new DC by-law. Public Meetings, originally scheduled during Regional Council on March 29, have been re-scheduled for April 12. These meetings will be held to present the proposed underlying background studies and obtain public input on these proposed by-laws and studies. More information is available on the upcoming public meeting in the 2023 Public Notice for Regional Development Charge By-laws . 

Regional development charges are collected from new developments. These charges pay for growth-related infrastructure, including:

• Roads
• Water treatment
• Sewage treatment

Charges are indexed annually on July 1.

Development charge form and application processing system

You can complete and submit the Development Charges Application form online, and track your forms through the application process.

Development charges resources