Development charges & levies — Guelph, Ontario

What development charges or levies apply to new construction? How much per new home?

In the City of Guelph, Ontario, development charges & levies rules are set by By-law Number (2024)-20866, as amended by (2024)-20997 and (2026)-21203 (office consolidation) and 2 other bylaws, verified 2026-10-19. Charge per single-detached home: $66,977 per unit (sum of Schedule A charges; by-law in effect March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in effect November 20, 2024). Non-residential charge: $27.04 per sq.ft. of Gross Floor Area (sum of Schedule A charges; by-law in effect March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in effect November 20, 2024). Payable: At building permit issuance; instalment/occupancy-based payments where permitted under the Act (ss. 3.12-3.13).

By-law Number (2024)-20866, as amended by (2024)-20997 and (2026)-21203 (office consolidation) adopted bylaw
single detached charge $66,977 per unit (sum of Schedule A charges; by-law in effect March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in effect November 20, 2024) Schedules A of By-laws (2024)-20867 to (2024)-20880 and (2024)-20998
apartment charge $40,094 per 2-bedroom+ apartment; $29,383 per studio/1-bedroom apartment (sum of Schedule A charges; by-law in effect March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in effect November 20, 2024) Schedules A of By-laws (2024)-20867 to (2024)-20880 and (2024)-20998
non residential charge $27.04 per sq.ft. of Gross Floor Area (sum of Schedule A charges; by-law in effect March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in effect November 20, 2024) Schedules A of By-laws (2024)-20867 to (2024)-20880 and (2024)-20998
services covered Water; Wastewater; Stormwater; Highway; Public Works; Fire; Policing; Transit; Library; Parks and Recreation; Ambulance; Public Health; Long-Term Care; Waste Diversion; Growth Studies s. 2.1
exemptions University/college, place of worship/cemetery, hospital, parking structure, non-profit housing, additional residential units, existing industrial enlargement up to 50%, rental housing discounts, affordable/attainable units upon proclamation ss. 3.4.2, 3.5.1-3.5.4
payment timing At building permit issuance; instalment/occupancy-based payments where permitted under the Act (ss. 3.12-3.13) ss. 3.12-3.13
indexing expiry Annual indexing per O.Reg. 82/98 using Statistics Canada Non-Residential Building Construction Price Index for Toronto; expires 12:01 A.M. March 2, 2034 unless repealed earlier ss. 5, 10
scout note

Municipal-wide DC by-law; amendment 21203 passed Mar 31, 2026 (administrative).

Current Development Charge Rates adopted bylaw
single detached charge $72,076 per unit municipal (effective March 2, 2026); $76,397 grand total incl. education DCs "Grand total" row, "Residential Development Charges Grand Total" table
apartment charge 2 bedrooms+: $43,146; studio & 1 bedroom: $31,620 per unit municipal (effective March 2, 2026); grand totals incl. education $47,467 / $35,941 "Grand total" row, "Residential Development Charges Grand Total" table
non residential charge $29.06 per square foot of gross floor area (municipal; effective March 2, 2026) "Total municipal development charges | $29.06" per square foot
services covered Highway, public works, transit, fire protection, policing, parks and recreation, library, long-term care, public health, ambulance, waste diversion, stormwater, wastewater, water, growth studies "Service/class of service" rows, Municipal Development Charges tables
payment timing Non-rental residential deferred to occupancy; developer may elect to pay before the day charges are due "Payment of development charges for non-rental residential developments has been deferred to occupancy"
indexing expiry Municipal: effective March 2, 2026 to March 1, 2027, adjusted annually for inflation on anniversary (next March 2, 2027); education: April 23, 2026 to April 22, 2027, adjusted per school board bylaw rate schedules "adjusted annually for inflation on the anniversary of the by-laws"
scout note

rates page: effective March 2, 2026: municipal $72,076 per single/semi; $51,899 multiples; $43,146 apartment 2+ bedrooms; plus education DC $4,321 (grand total $76,397 single).

Development Charges By-law (2024)-20866 adopted bylaw
single detached charge $66,977 per unit (2024 rates; By-law in force March 2, 2024; Growth Studies in force November 20, 2024) Schedules A of By-laws 2024-20867 to 2024-20880 and 2024-20998
apartment charge $40,094 per unit for Apartments - 2 Bedrooms +; $29,383 per unit for Apartments - Studio and 1 Bedroom (2024 rates) Schedules A of By-laws 2024-20867 to 2024-20880 and 2024-20998
non residential charge $27.04 per sq.ft. of Gross Floor Area (2024 rates; institutional, commercial, industrial, short-term accommodations, etc.) Schedules A of By-laws 2024-20867 to 2024-20880 and 2024-20998
services covered Water, wastewater, stormwater, highways, public works, fire, policing, transit, library, parks/recreation, ambulance, public health, long-term care, waste diversion, growth studies. s. 2.1
exemptions Additional residential units; affordable/attainable units (upon proclamation); rental housing 15–25% bedroom-based reductions; existing industrial expansion up to 50%; university, place of worship, hospital, parking structure, small accessory structures. ss. 3.4.2, 3.5.1–3.5.4
payment timing Payable on building permit issuance; institutional and rental housing in six equal annual instalments from occupancy/occupation permit, with interest; agreements may defer. ss. 3.12–3.13, 3.15
indexing expiry Indexed annually from first anniversary per O.Reg. 82/98 (Toronto Non-Residential Building Construction Price Index); expires 12:01 A.M. March 2, 2034 unless repealed earlier. ss. 5, 11
scout note

City of Guelph Development Charges By-law (2024)-20866, as amended by (2024)-20997 (consolidated).

Community Benefits Charge page

Page describes CBC (up to 4% of land value, 5+ storeys, 10+ units); wording says the City is 'considering' it, adoption not confirmed.

Notice of passing of municipal-wide DC bylaws (2026-21203)

Notice that Bylaw (2026)-21203 passed March 31, 2026; administrative, no rate change.

Machine-readable: development-charges.json · Official website: https://guelph.ca/ · Last verified 2026-10-19 · Development charges & levies across Ontario · Development charges & levies in other municipalities