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## Development Charges
Development charges are fees collected from developers at the time a building permit is issued. The fees help pay for the cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to new development, such as roads, water and sewer and other infrastructure.
You may be required to pay development charges for land development or redevelopment projects if you are:
* Constructing a new building
* Making an addition or alteration to an existing building that increases the number of dwelling units or the non-residential gross floor area
* Redeveloping a property or making interior alterations that result in a change of use to all or part of the building.
For fees and charges, view our 2026 Development Charges Pamphlet.
View our Development Charges Interest Rate Policy.
View our Securities for Development Agreements Policy.
Questions and inquiries, email: [email protected]
**Help paying development charges:** Are you a first-time homeowner? You may be able to get up to $15,000 to help pay development charges for a new home in Muskoka. Learn about the Development Charges Forgivable Loan Program
### Development Charges By-Law
Muskoka District Council passed Development Charges **By-law 2024-34** at their regular Council meeting of October 21, 2024. This by-law is set to expire on December 31, 2029. Development charges are required to pay for the increased capital costs related to the increased need for municipal services arising from development in The District Municipality of Muskoka.
2019 District of Muskoka Development Charges Background Study provides additional information on the current development fees and charges.
#### 2024 Background Study and 2025 By-Law
The 2024 DC background study was made available to the public on July 18, 2024 and the required public meeting was held on August 8, 2024.
The adoption of the 2025 DC By-law and the approval of the Muskoka 2024 Development Charges BackgroundStudywas scheduled to be brought forward to Council for consideration on September 16, 2024.
On September 11, 2024, the Province announced that the District was successful in its application for funding under the Housing-Enabling Water Systems Fund and will receive $50.6 million for projects related to the Mountview and Golden Pheasant suite of projects. Given the significant value of the HEWSF grant, staff have brought forward an addendum to the existing background study.
* Addendum to 2024 Development Charges Background Study
A notice of the 2025 Development Charges By-Law Adoption was issued, and adopted at the District Council meeting on October 21, 2024.
A public notice of the passing of Development Charges By-Law has been issued. The schedule of development charges imposed by By-Law 2024-34, will come into effect on January 1, 2025, unless appealed on or before November 30th, 2024.
## 2025 and 2024 Development Charges
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| Purpose of Development Charges |
| To recover the growth-related costs associated with the capital infrastructure needed to service new development and redevelopment. Development charge funds may only be used for the purpose for which they are collected. Development charges are based on the methodology that existing taxpayers should not be liable for the capital costs of new growth. At the same time, new taxpayers should not have to contribute more than the net capital cost attributable to growth in order to maintain current levels of municipal services. |
| Term of By-law |
| By-law 2024-34 was passed on October 21, 2024 by Muskoka District Council and came into effect on January 1, 2025. By-law 2024-34 is set to expire on December 31, 2029. |
| Development Charges Related Services |
| By-law 2024-34 imposes separate and distinct development charges: * Services Related to a Highway, * Ambulance Services * Services Related to Long-term Care * Waste Diversion Services * Transit Services * Rural Septage Services; and * Urban Water and Wastewater Services. |
| Payment of Development Charges |
| You may be required to pay development charges for land development or redevelopment projects if you are: * Constructing a new building; * Making an addition or alteration to an existing building that increases the number of dwelling units or the non-residential gross floor area; * Redeveloping a property or making interior alterations that result in a change of use to all or part of the building. Development charges are payable in equal annual installments for rental and non-profit housing, and institutional development. The installments begin on the earlier of building permit issuance and first occupancy and continue for 5 years for rental housing and institutional development and 20 years for non-profit housing. As a result of the passage of Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act, purpose-built rental housing is eligible for development charge discounts ranging from 15-25% based on the size of the unit being built. Applicants should consult with the Area Municipality where the building permit is being sought for additional details. For all other development, the default timing of payment is building permit issuance. Where any development charge, or part thereof, remains unpaid after the due date, the amount unpaid will be added to the tax roll and will be collected in the same manner as taxes. |
| Development Charge |
| All development is categorized as either: a) residential or commercial accommodation; b) non-residential; or c) mixed use. *NOTE:* *Please refer to By-law 2024-34 for the rules associated with the calculation of each type of development.* |
| Calculation of Charge |
| The development charge payable is the charge that would be determined under the by-law on: * the day of application for site plan control; or, if not applicable; * the day of application for rezoning; or, if both not applicable; * the day set out in the by-law. |
| Indexing of Development Charges |
| The amount of the development charges payable pursuant to this by-law shall be adjusted annually on January 1st each and every year, without amendment to this by-law, commencing on January 1, 2025, in accordance with the regulations. |
| Exemptions |
| The following types of development are exempt from payment of development charges: a) a non-residential farm building or structure; b) a cemetery and burial sites; c) development described in sections 2(3) of the Development Charges Act; d) buildings or structures owned and occupied by and used for the purposes of a municipality; e) buildings or structures owned and occupied by and used by a Board of Education; f) buildings or structures owned by a hospital approved as a public hospital; g) buildings or structures owned and occupied by a college of applied arts and technology or university; h) non-profit long term care homes; and i) the enlargement of an existing industrial building provided the enlargement is less than 50% of the existing floor area. Please contact The District Municipality of Muskoka for further information on eligibility for development charge exemptions: Phone: 705-645-2100 or 1-800-461-4210 |
| Redevelopment |
| * A credit will be provided against development charges owing where buildings or structures have been demolished to permit the redevelopment of the property. * The eligibility for demolition credits is restricted to demolitions that occur within five years of the redevelopment of the property. |
| Statement of the Treasurer |
| The Treasurer of The District Municipality of Muskoka is responsible for the development charges reserve fund. The Treasurer's Annual Statement, identifying opening and closing balances and development charges reserve fund transactions during the year, may be viewed by the public at www.muskoka.on.ca or in printed version in the office of the District Clerk during regular business hours by the end of September each year. |
| Bill 23, More Homes Built Faster Act |
| Bill 23 received Royal Assent on November 28, 2022. As a result, the Development Charges Act 1997 had a number of amendments. Some of these changes are reflected within. Applicants should consult with the Area Municipality where the building permit is being sought for additional details. |
| Development Charges Rates |
| | | | --- | | Residential Charge by Unit Type (1) - (Schedule B-1) | | | | | --- | | Single Detached, Semi-Detached and Duplexes | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Single Detached, Semi-Detached and Duplexes | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $4,905 | $3,940 | | Wastewater Services | $8,193 | $11,950 | | Water Services | $3,679 | $5,717 | | Rural Area Septage | $425 | $999 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$16,777** | **$21,607** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$5,330** | **$4,939** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 2.90* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | Low Density Multiple Unit Development (2) | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Low Density Multiple Unit Development (2) | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $4,059 | $2,998 | | Wastewater Services | $6,781 | $9,094 | | Water Services | $3,043 | $4,351 | | Rural Area Septage | $353 | $760 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$13,883** | **$16,443** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$4,412** | **$3,758** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 2.40* *(2) Includes townhouses, row homes, triplexes, quadraplexes and other greater multiples.* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | High Density Multiple Unit Development (2 Sleeping Areas of Greater) | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | High Density Multiple Unit Development | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $3,214 | $3,171 | | Wastewater Services | $5,368 | $9,619 | | Water Services | $2,410 | $4,602 | | Rural Area Septage | $279 | $804 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$10,992** | **$17,392** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$3,493** | **$3,975** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.90* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | **High Density Multiple Unit Development (Fewer than 2 Sleeping Areas)** | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | High Density Multiple Unit Development | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $2,199 | $2,079 | | Wastewater Services | $3,672 | $6,303 | | Water Services | $1,649 | $3,015 | | Rural Area Septage | $190 | $527 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$7,520** | **$11,397** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$2,389** | **$2,606** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.30* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | Per Occupant Charge | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Per Occupant Charge | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $1,693 | $1,648 | | Wastewater Services | $2,826 | $5,002 | | Water Services | $1,269 | $2,393 | | Rural Area Septage | $147 | $418 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$5,788** | **$9,043** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$1,840** | **$2,066** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.00* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | | | | --- | | Non-Residential Development Charges (Schedule B-2) (Commercial Accommodation Premises) | | | | | --- | | Single Detached, Semi-Detached and Duplexes | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Single Detached, Semi-Detached and Duplexes | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $4,905 | $3,940 | | Wastewater Services | $8,193 | $11,950 | | Water Services | $3,679 | $5,717 | | Rural Area Septage | $425 | $999 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$16,777** | **$21,607** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$5,330** | **$4,939** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 2.90* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | Low Density Multiple Unit Development | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Low Density Multiple Unit Development (2) | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $4,059 | $2,998 | | Wastewater Services | $6,781 | $9,094 | | Water Services | $3,043 | $4,351 | | Rural Area Septage | $353 | $760 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$13,883** | **$16,443** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$4,412** | **$3,758** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 2.40* *(2) Includes townhouses, row homes, triplexes, quadraplexes and other greater multiples.* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | High Density Multiple Unit Development (2 Sleeping Areas or Greater) | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | High Density Multiple Unit Development | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $3,214 | $3,171 | | Wastewater Services | $5,368 | $9,619 | | Water Services | $2,410 | $4,602 | | Rural Area Septage | $279 | $804 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$10,992** | **$17,392** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$3,493** | **$3,975** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.90* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | High Density Multiple Unit Development (Fewer than 2 Sleeping Areas) | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | High Density Multiple Unit Development | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $2,199 | $2,079 | | Wastewater Services | $3,672 | $6,303 | | Water Services | $1,649 | $3,015 | | Rural Area Septage | $190 | $527 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$7,520** | **$11,397** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$2,389** | **$2,606** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.30* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | Per Occupant Charge | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Per Occupant Charge | Effective January 1, 2024 | Effective January 1, 2025 | | Roads and Related | $1,693 | $1,648 | | Wastewater Services | $2,826 | $5,002 | | Water Services | $1,269 | $2,393 | | Rural Area Septage | $147 | $418 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$5,788** | **$9,043** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$1,840** | **$2,066** | *(1) Based on Persons Per Unit of: 1.00* *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | | | | | --- | | Non-Residential Development Charges (Schedule B-3) | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Service | Effective January 1, 2024 Per Square Foot | Effective January 1, 2025 Per Square Foot | | Roads and Related | $0.24 | $1.92 | | Wastewater Services | $1.00 | $6.42 | | Water Services | $0.97 | $3.07 | | Rural Area Septage | $0.23 | $0.15 | | **Total Serviced (i)** | **$2.21** | **$11.41** | | **Total Unserviced (ii)** | **$0.47** | **$2.07** | *(i) Includes Roads and Related, Wastewater and Water charges* *(ii) Includes Roads and Related and Rural Area Septage charges* | |
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