Development Charges update

Development Charges are one-time fees charged by municipalities on new residential and non-residential properties to help pay for a portion of growth related capital costs. Without Development Charges in place, the City would have to pay for all growth related costs with increased taxes and/or increased water/wastewater/stormwater rates.

The Development Charges Act requires that the City review the Development Charges By-Law (2020-112) every five years through the preparation of a Background Study. The City of Owen Sound completed the background study on October 7th, 2019 and the by-law was passed on September 28, 2020.

The County of Grey's Development Charge page has additional information and specifics on the County of Grey's background study and development charge rates.

Development Charges By-Law

The Development Charges By-Law 2020-112 was passed by City Council on September 28, 2020.

Mandatory Exemptions
  • Addition of up to 2 apartments for a single as long as house size does not double in size
  • One additional unit in medium & high density buildings
  • Upper/Lower Tier Government & School Boards

Discretionary Exemptions
  • Reduce in part or whole DC for types of development or classes of development
  • May phase-in charges over time
  • Redevelopment credits to recognize what is being replaced on site
  • Non-residential buildings used accessory to an agricultural operation
  • Buildings owned and used by the City, County of Grey or any Board of Education used for school purposes
  • Temporary building where the owner has completed an agreement with the City specifying the owner's obligation to remove the building
  • Places of worship for religious uses that are exempt from Provincial taxes pursuant of the Provincial Land Tax Act R.S.O. 1990, cP32 as amended
  • A new industrial building/structure or the englargement of an existing industrial building or structure (by 50% or less)
  • Residential units constructed by the County of Grey, Owen Sound Non Profit Housing, Habitat for Humanity or an other Non Profit Housing organization approved by Council
  • Rental housing developments

Collecting Development Charges

Payment for Development Charges is collected at the Building Permit stage and is made at the Community Services Counter at City Hall or can be added to the tax roll.

Current Year Development Charge March 2, 2020 to March 1, 2021

City-Wide Development Charges (with the exception of the Sydenham Heights Area)

Residential (per unit)

 

Unit Type

Indoor Recreation Services

Roads and Related Services

Stormwater Drainage and Control

Wastewater Services

Water Services

Total City-Wide DCs Residential

Single and Semi Detached Dwelling

$3,700

$2,096

$34

$918

$1,252

$8,000

Other Multiples

$2,878

$1,630

$27

$714

$974

$6,223

Apartments

$2,275

$1,289

$21

$564

$770

$4,919

 

Non-Residential (per m2) 

 

Unit Type

Indoor Recreation Services

Roads and Related Services

Stormwater Drainage and Control

Wastewater Services

Water Services

Total City-Wide DC's Non-residential

Commercial and Institutional

 $0.00 

$14.16

$0.23

$8.18

$8.47

$31.04

 

Sydenham Heights Area Specific Development Charges

** Area Specific DC's are not eligible for discretionary exemptions **

Residential (per unit)

Unit Type

Rates for Water and Wastewater Services

Single and Semi-Detached Dwelling

$1,173

Other Multiples

$912
Apartments

 

$721

Non-Residential (per m2) 

Unit Type

 Rate for Area Specific Development Charge per m2

Commercial and Institutional

$8.23        

Contact Us