2024 Development Charges Study
Update: June 7, 2024
The Notice of DC By-Law Passage is now available. View it here. The Development Charges pamphlet is coming soon!
The following By-laws are final and have been approved by Council on May 28, 2024:
Update to Development Charges & Community Benefits Charges: DC Study, CBC Strategy and By-Law Updates
The City of Niagara Falls is updating its Development Charges Background Study and By-Law. Further, the City will review its current DC Exemptions and Programs offered and beyond what is legislated as part of the Background Study Update.
Update: March 27, 2024
The 2024 Development Charges (DC) Background Study is now available for download. This DC Study provides the basis and background to update the City’s development charges to reflect the servicing needs of development in the City.
What are Development Charges?
Development charges (DCs) are fees collected from builders and developers to help pay for the capital cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to new development. Eligible services include roads, water, storm and sewer infrastructure, parks and recreation, libraries, fire services, etc.
The intent is to ensure that “growth pays for growth” to avoid existing taxpayers having to pay to subsidize the costs related to servicing growth developments.
The Development Charges Act (DCA) outlines statutory exemptions and credits related to the collection of DCs for specific types of development.
Current City of Niagara Falls DC Rates
These development charges are in effect as of September 1, 2023.
Residential
- Single detached dwelling and semi-detached dwelling:
- Within the urban area: $17,239 per unit
- Within the non-urban area: $9,751 per unit
- Townhouse dwelling: $10,813 per unit
- Apartment dwelling: $8,194 per unit
Commercial
- Urban Area - Tourist Core: $33.68 per square metre of gross floor area
- Urban Area - Excluding Tourist Core: $57.26 per square metre of gross floor area
- Non-Urban Area: $24.44 per square metre of gross floor area
Industrial
Industrial Development Charges were abolished in November 2001.
Interest Rates
Interest related to the Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O. 1997, c. 27, section 26.1 and section 26.2 is 5%.
Installments
Administrative fee for missed payment of development charges payable by installments as per section 26.1 of the Development Charges Act.
Amount: $550 (no HST)
Treasurer's Statement
The Treasurer for the City will present, before Council each year, a financial statement relating to the development charges by-laws and its reserve funds. The statement will include, for each reserve fund, a description of the service, opening and closing balances, details of any credit transactions, details of any borrowing from the reserve fund that may have occurred, the amount spent on growth-related projects, the portion of each project that is funded from the reserve fund and the portion funded from other sources of financing.
A copy of the Treasurer’s statement can be viewed online in the minutes of the City’s Council meetings. The latest statement can be found here: 2023 Development Charges Treasurer's Statement
Historical Treasurer’s Statements:
2022 Development Charges Treasurer's Statement
2017 to 2021 Development Charges Treasurer's Statement
Development Charges Study 2019
A municipality is required to update its Development Charges every five years. At the link below, please find the background study that provides the basis for the 2019 Development Charges by-law.
The documents came from an external source and should you require an alternative (i.e., accessible) format, please contact the City Clerk at 905-356-7521 ext. 4342 or [email protected].
Niagara Region Development Charges
Please visit Regional Development Charges for general information as well as current fees that are applicable through the Niagara Region.
