2024 Development Charges Study
Update: July 8, 2024
For a comprehensive overview of the City’s development charges, please see the brochure.
Update: June 7, 2024
The Notice of DC By-Law Passage is now available. View it here.
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
The Council for the City of Niagara Falls passed the 2024 DC Background Study on May 28th, 2024, along with three 2024 DC by-laws: 2024-053, 2024-054, and 2024-055. These development charges are in effect as of July 8, 2024.
View the Final 2024 DC Rate Table for Residential and Non-Residential here.
Industrial DC Exemptions
The City provides for a full exemption of Development Charges pertaining to Industrial developments in accordance with City Policy #700.40, a copy of which can be found here: Industrial Development Charge Grant Program Policy.
Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Program
The City provides for Development Charge exemptions pertaining to developments that fall within the City’s geographical CIP boundary areas as well as additional CIP based exemptions, as outlined in City Policy #700.41, a copy of which can be found here: Interim Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Program Policy.
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 2024
A municipality is required to update its Development Charges every ten years. At the link below, please find the background study that provides the basis for the 2024 Development Charges by-law.
Niagara Region Development Charges
Please visit Regional Development Charges for general information as well as current fees that are applicable through the Niagara Region.
