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Development Charges, Community Benefits Charges & Parkland Dedication
# Development Charges
* Planning & Development
* Development Charges
* Community Benefits Charges
* Development Charges
* Parkland Dedication Fees
Related Content
* Planning Applications
Development Charges Fact Sheet
Download the What Residents Need to Know Fact Sheet(PDF, 120.67 KB)
Contact Us
Development Charge Request
Call 905-546-2424 ext. 4400 or
Email [email protected]
## Development Charges By-law Update
As of **June 1, 2026,** an amended DC by-law with updated exemptions is now in effect.
Consolidated Development Charge By-Law 24-072
Development Charges (DCs) are one-time fees collected from developers when a building permit is issued. These fees help pay for the infrastructure needed to support growth, including roads, transit, water and sewer infrastructure, fire and police services.
## Why Development Charges Exist
Development Charges help ensure the cost of new infrastructure needed for growth is not passed on to existing local property taxpayers. Without DCs, those costs would lead to higher property taxes and user fees. Most Ontario municipalities use Development Charges.
## How Development Charges are Determined
Under the *Development Charges Act, 1997* City Council can pass a by-law to impose Development Charges. This requires that a DC Background Study be completed, including:
* Forecasts of the type, amount, and location of development and population
* A review of past capital service levels
* A review of future capital projects to support the expected new development.
The Development Charges By-law also allows for annual DC fee adjustments. The Act and the By-law include exemptions for certain types of development.
## Treasurer's Statement
The City Treasurer prepares an annual statement regarding the use of development charges funds and sets out the balance in each of the development charges reserves
* Development Charges Reserves Status Report as of December 31, 2023 (FCS24043)(PDF, 1.27 MB)
* Development Charges Reserves Status Report as of December 31, 2022 (FCS23035)(PDF, 1.07 MB)
* Development Charges Reserves Status Report as of December 31, 2021 (FCS22040)(PDF, 1.26 MB)
* Development Charges Reserves Status Report as of December 31, 2020 (FCS21047)(PDF, 1.07 MB)
Learn More About
## Development Charge Rates
### Rates and Information
### Deferral Program
### Education DC
### Development Charges Rates (Information Pamphlets)
Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective June 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027 (PDF, 2.45 MB)Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 (PDF, 3.15 MB)Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective December 1, 2024 to May 31, ... (PDF, 2.51 MB)Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective July 6, 2024 to May 31, 2025 (PDF, 1.69 MB)Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective July 1, 2024 to July 5, 2024 (PDF, 1.69 MB)Development Charges Information Pamphlet effective June 1 to June 30, 2024 (PDF, 1.69 MB)Development Charges Rates effective July 6, 2023 to June 12, 2024 (PDF, 947.21 KB)Development Charges Rates effective November 28, 2022 to July 5, 2023 (PDF, 947.25 KB)Development Charges Rates effective July 6, 2022 to November 27, 2022 (PDF, 946.46 KB)Development Charges Rates effective July 6, 2021 to July 5, 2022 (PDF, 940.44 KB)Development Charges Rates effective July 6, 2020 to July 5, 2021 (PDF, 936.49 KB)Development Charges Rates effective Nov 8, 2019 to July 5, 2020 (PDF, 927.27 KB)
### Development Charges By-law & Background Study
2024 Development Charges Consolidated By-law 24-072 (PDF, 1.42 MB)2024 Development Charges Consolidated Background Study (PDF, 35.58 MB)2024 Development Charges Background Study Update - Amendments as per Bill 185 (PDF, 209.06 KB)2024 Development Charges Background Study Appendix E - Local Service Policy (PDF, 486.03 KB)2024 Development Charges Background Study Appendix F - Water & Wastewater (PDF, 17.59 MB)2024 Development Charges Background Study Appendix G - Stormwater (PDF, 8.92 MB)2024 Development Charges Background Study Appendix H - Services Related to a Hi... (PDF, 4.04 MB)Development Charges Update Study to DC By-law 19-142 (PDF, 1.68 MB)Development Charges Background Study - 2019 (PDF, 24.35 MB)By-law 19-142 - Consolidated (PDF, 14.31 MB)Development Charges Background Study - 2011 (PDF, 21.55 MB)By-law 11-174 - Consolidated (PDF, 1.05 MB)
### Guide to Development Charge Information Pamphlets
Effective January, 1, 2020 the Province amended the *Development Charges Act, 1997* and the timing of when development charges are calculated. Refer to this table for guidance regarding what DC pamphlet will apply for which type of DC.
Download 2025 Development Charges Interest Calculator Tool(File, 321.32 KB)
| Situation | City DC, GO DC, Dun/Wat SAC | Education DC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Complete application for site plan or zoning amendment was made prior to January 1, 2020 | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance \*\* | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance |
| Complete application for site plan or zoning amendment was made on or after January 1, 2020 and building permit is issued within 2 years of site plan approval | DC Pamphlet in effect at the later application date plus interest using the tool above to permit issuance | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance |
| Complete application for site plan or zoning amendment was made on or after January 1, 2020 but the associated building permit is issued more than 2 years after site plan approval | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance \*\* | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance |
| The development is not subject to a site plan or zoning amendment application | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance \*\* | DC Pamphlet in effect at permit issuance |
*\*\* The City offers a transition policy based on complete building permit application date for 6 months following a DC rate increase which may permit the pamphlet in effect at building permit application to be applied.*
### Rental Housing and Institutional Development Installments
* Rental Housing and Institutional Developments will pay in 6 equal annual payments commencing at occupancy.
Complete Development Charge Instalment Declaration Form(PDF, 355.86 KB)
The City accepts industrial DC Deferral applications. Currently, the City is accepting a limited number of non-industrial DC Deferral applications. Unless otherwise stated, the DC Deferral program has available capacity and is continuing to accept applications. Allocations will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis until the program has reached capacity.
**Eligible non-industrial developments**
* Non-residential
* High density residential
* Mixed-use
**Not eligible to apply**
* Low and medium density residential developments
* Developments located within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area (CIPA)
A minimum Development Charge of $50,000 is required in order to apply.
**Submitting an application**
Refer to the instructions in the application to complete your submission.
Download the Development Charges Deferral Program Application(PDF, 150.34 KB)
*Section 257.54(1) of the Education Act*enables a district school board to pass by-laws for the imposition of education development charges against land if there is residential development in its area of jurisdiction that would increase education land costs.
Both school boards in Hamilton have determined that the residential development of land to which the by-law applies increase education land costs.
### Education Board Development Charges
* Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board
* Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
Date modified
July 27, 2026