On October 7, 2024 Council passed By-law 2024-48 to update development charges for the Municipality of Meaford. 

What Are Development Charges?

Development charges are one-time fees imposed by the Municipality and County from developers, home builders and institutions when they develop or build on land. The fees are intended to offset the cost of increased municipal services and infrastructure required due to growth in the municipality.  See our Development Charges book to learn more about the Municipality of Meaford's charges. 

What do development charges pay for?

Dounut graph Dount chart table: Stormwater - 3.44, system Wide Sewer - 67.76, System Wide Water - 10.34, Services Related to a Highway: Roads & Related - 8.92,Development Related Studies - 0.31, Service Related to a Highway: Public Works - 0.94, Fire Protection Services - 1.09, Public Library - 1.14

FAQ

 Is my project subject to 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 residential 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 a building
  • For a fulsome list of exemptions, reference should be made to the bylaw.
 When are the development charges payable?
Where development charges apply, a building permit will only be issues once the development charges have been paid in full. 
 Who do I contact for calculation and payment of development charges?
Development Charges will be calculated when you apply for a building permit. If you are looking to pre-plan your project, you may use the Development Charges Brochure or rates sheet posted.
 What services are included in the development charge? 
Development charges help pay for growth-related capital costs for the following municipal services:

Public library, fire protection services, parks and recreation, services related to a highway: public works, development studies, water, sewer, stormwater
 What if I am not connected to the Municipal water or wastewater system?
 If you are not fronting the water or wastewater system you will only pay the Municipal Wide Charge and not the water/wastewater charge.
Are exemptions available for development charges?

The Development Charges Act does allow for some exemptions. Examples include:

  • Enlargement of 50 percent or less of an existing industrial building
  • Affordable, Attainable and Non-profit housing (as defined by the province)
 Are development charges different for residential versus non-residential developments?
 Yes, development charges rates are different for residential.
 What is the difference between development charges and community benefits charges?
Unlike Development charges which are applied to all new development (unless specifically exempted), community benefits charges may only be collected on higher density developments of at least five storeys and more than 10 units, as outlined in the Planning Act section 37. Meaford currently does not have a community benefits charges by-law in place and does not collect community benefits charges. 
 How long are development charges active for? 
 Once a by-law is passed by the Council, development charges are active for a 10 year period. 

Current Resources

 

Appeals

Any person or organization may appeal the by-law to the Ontario Land Tribunal under section 14 of the Act by filing with the clerk of the municipality a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons supporting the objection. Details about the deadline for an appeal will be included a future notice to the public about passing of the new Development Charges By-law. For information on how to appeal, including forms and fees, see the Ontario Land Tribunal Website.

 

Other Resources

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