Development Charges

What are Development Charges?

Development charges are fees collected by the Municipality when new development and redevelopment of land occurs. Collecting development charges is the Municipality’s primary revenue tool for funding growth-related capital costs. This reduces the overall burden on the taxpayer.

The Municipality collects these charges according to the Province of Ontario’s Development Charges Act.

How do Development Charges support the Municipality?

New construction and redevelopment of buildings attract more people to live and work in Lakeshore, increasing the population & employment opportunities. As a result, the Municipality must undertake infrastructure projects to continue to provide a stable level of service.

 The funds collected from Development Charges subsidizes a portion of capital costs incurred during design and construction of these critical projects to upgrade and improve municipal services provided to existing and new residents and businesses in Lakeshore. These are also known as ‘growth-related capital costs.

What type of capital projects do Development Charges contribute to?

Development Charges help fund growth-related capital costs for the following municipal services: 

• Libraries
• Recreation and parks development
• By-law enforcement and court services
• Development-related studies
• Fire services
• Public works
• Roads and related infrastructure
• Stormwater management

How are capital projects determined and prioritized?

Municipal Council approves all capital projects during the annual budget process. Council uses Development Charges to fund capital projects that benefit the whole Municipality, not just the areas from which they are collected.

Anticipated capital projects related to growth are typically identified through Lakeshore’s published masterplans such as Water & Wastewater, Transportation, Stormwater, Fire, Parks and Recreation, and Lakeshore’s Official Plan.

Development Charges

• Schedule of Development Charges (Click this for most current chart)
• By-Law 89-2020 - Imposition of Development Charges
• Development Charges Background Study - 2020

 Development Charges By-law Amendment and Background Study

• By-law 56-2022 (Amending By-law)
• Schedule B to By-law 89-2020
• Development Charges Study Update by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd.