Regional Development Charges Overview
Development charges are a one-time fee collected from developers when applying for a building permit for a new development or redevelopment project.
Niagara Region collects these fees to help pay for the capital cost of the infrastructure that is needed to service the newly developed or redeveloped projects. They are applied to various municipal services.
Regional development charges are not charged for water or wastewater management where those services are not available.
Projects subject to development charges
You may be required to pay development charges for any residential, industrial, institutional or commercial development if you are:
- Erecting new building(s)
- Making an addition or alteration to an existing building(s) which increases the gross floor area or number of units
- Redeveloping a property or properties which result in a change of use
Development charges are payable when the first building permit is issued and are collected by the local municipality. A building permit will not be issued until all development charges have been paid, based on the rate in effect as of the date the building permit is to be issued.
Some developments and redevelopments are subject to exceptions for payment deadlines. Find out if your project is eligible for an exception.
Service areas that development charges support
Development charges apply to the following services:
- Highways
- Police
- General government
- Long term care
- Provincial Offences Act
- Health
- Emergency medical services
- Social housing
- Waste diversion
- Wastewater
- Water
Current fees
Learn about the current fees for any construction project that needs a permit. You can also use our development charges calculator.
Contact
For more information, email the development charges team.
© Niagara Region - 1815 Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON, L2V 4T7 - Phone: 905-980-6000, Toll-free: 1-800-263-7215
