Development Charges

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The Development Charges Act, 1997, subsection 2(1) authorizes municipalities to pass a bylaw to impose development charges against land to pay for increased capital costs required because of increased needs for services arising from development.

The City collects development charges pursuant to Bylaw 2019-116, "A Bylaw To Establish Development Charges For The City Of Kingston", passed by Council on September 3, 2019. Schedule A to this Bylaw designates the municipal services for which development charges are imposed. Schedule B includes development charges as of September 29, 2019 for each municipal-wide services and for water and wastewater services within the urban service area by development type. Development related charges are adjusted annually on January 1 in accordance with the provisions of Bylaw 2019-116. The Development Charges Pamphlet, which summarizes the information provided in Bylaw 2019-116, is updated annually to include the adjustments to the development related charges.

This information summarizes the City's policies with respect to development related charges. The information provided is intended as only a guide. Applicants should review Bylaw 2019-116 and consult with the City's Building Department to determine the charges and fees that may apply to specific development proposals. For further information respecting the Background Study process, the Development Charge Bylaw and the appeals process, refer to Council reports 19-192 and 19-222.

Every building permit applicant that seeks an exemption to Bylaw 2019-116 shall make an application by completing the Application for Development Charge Exemption.

Purpose for development related charges

The general purpose for which development related charges are imposed by the City is to assist in providing a viable capital funding source to meet the City's financial requirements for infrastructure that is required to support future development in the municipality.

The City collects development related charges pursuant to Bylaw 2019-116 ("City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019"), authorized by Subsection 2(1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997, which imposes uniform municipal-wide charges for the following municipal services: Roads & Related; Public Works, Protection Services (fire and police); Transit; Parks & Recreation; Library Services; Administration – Studies; Affordable Housing; and Waste Diversion Services and for water and wastewater services within the urban service area.

Development related charges are collected prior to the issuance of the building permit. If a building permit is not applicable, fees are payable upon connection to the water and/or wastewater system(s).

Rules for development related charges

Rules with respect to the applicability and collection of development related charges are summarized below. Applicants should consult Bylaw 2019-116 ("City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019") for further detail.

Development charges apply to all lands in the City of Kingston. Charges related to water and wastewater services apply only to development in the urban service area of the City.

Development charges are payable prior to issuance of a building permit.  If a building permit is not applicable, fees are payable upon connection to the water and/or wastewater system(s).

Exemptions:

The following uses are exempt from the municipal development charges under City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019:

  • lands owned by and used for the purposes of a municipality or a local board thereof, or a board of education;
  • industrial uses (in accordance with terms of the Development Charge Bylaw);
  • an interior alteration to an existing building or structure which does not change or intensify the use of land;
  • the enlargement of an existing residential dwelling unit, or the creation of one (1) or two (2) additional units where specified conditions are met;
  • the creation of a second unit on an existing lot where a principal residential dwelling has already been established, provided that specified conditions are met;
  • the second unit within a new dwelling, where the new dwelling is purpose-built to contain a second residential unit, provided that specified conditions are met;
  • a place of worship classified as exempt from taxation under Section 3 of the Assessment Act;
  • an agricultural use;
  • a seasonal air supported structure, save and except any portion that is permanent;
  • a seasonal structure;
  • a temporary venue;
  • expansion of an existing industrial building where the gross floor area is enlarged by 50% or less, provide the specified conditions are met.

The following uses may be exempt from all charges under City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019:

  • lands designated as part of a Community Improvement Area;
  • a temporary building or structure where specified conditions are met.

Every building permit applicant that seeks an exemption to the City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019 shall make an application by fully completing the Application for Development Charge Exemption.

A reduction in development charges under City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019 is allowed in the case of a demolition or redevelopment of a residential, non-residential, or mixed-use building or structure, provided that the building or structure was occupied within the prior five years or a demolition permit has been issued within five years prior to the issuance of a building permit for redevelopment of the lands.

The schedule of development charges is adjusted annually on January 1 in accordance with the most recent second quarter year over year change in the Statistics Canada Quarterly "Construction Price Statistics" (Ottawa Region).

Development charges

Development charges are imposed pursuant to Bylaw 2019-116 ("City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw 2019").

Schedule "A" to Bylaw 2019-116 imposes development charges on the following designated municipal services:

  1. Roads Services;
  2. Public Works;
  3. Fire Services;
  4. Police Services;
  5. Transit Services;
  6. Parks and Recreation Services;
  7. Library Services;
  8. Administration Studies;
  9. Affordable Housing;
  10. Waste Diversion Services;
  11. Wastewater Services; and
  12. Water Services.

Schedule "B" to Bylaw 2019-116 includes development charges as of September 29, 2019 for each designated municipal service by development type.

Note:  Development charges are subject to indexing on January 1st annually in accordance with the provisions of Bylaw 2019-116, commencing on January 1st, 2020.

The Development Charges Pamphlet, which summarizes the information provided in Bylaw 2019-116, is updated annually to include the adjustments to the development related charges.

Development charge reserve fund statement

An annual statement is presented to Council reflecting the activity of the Development Charge Reserve Fund, including the information set out in Section 12 of Ontario Regulation 82/98The statement is available through the Office of the City Clerk and on the City's website.

Further information

For information on fees or charges that apply to specific development proposals, please contact:

Lisa Capener-Hunt
Chief Building Official / Manager, Building Services
Mailing address:  216 Ontario St., Kingston, ON  K7L 2Z3

Location:  1211 John Counter Blvd., Kingston, ON  K7L 4X7
Phone: 613-546-4291 ext. 3252
Email: lcapener-hunt@cityofkingston.ca

For information regarding the Development Charge Bylaw or the annual statement, please contact:

Lana Foulds
Director, Financial Services
Mailing Address:  216 Ontario Street, Kingston, ON  K7L 2Z3
Email: lfoulds@cityofkingston.ca

Phone: 613-546-4291 ext. 2209
Fax: 613-546-7272

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