Development Charges Review

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What are Development Charges and why are they important?

Development charges are fees on new developments that fund growth-related costs for the Township which are governed by the Development Charges Act, 1997. The Development Charges Background Study relates to the provision of eligible DC Services which includes Development-Related Studies, Library Services, Fire Protection Services, Parks and Recreation, and Services Related to a Highway.

The principle behind development charges is that growth should pay for growth. Development Charges ease the financial burden of growth-related capital costs on existing taxpayers. Without development charges, the cost of growth-related infrastructure would fall entirely to existing property taxpayers in the form of higher property taxes.

How are Development Charges determined?

The Development Charges Act, 1997 provides municipalities with the authority to pass by-laws to impose Development Charges. The Act and Ontario Regulation 82/98 require that, prior to passing a Development Charges by-law, municipalities must prepare a Development Charges Background Study that includes the following elements:

  • The forecasted amount, type and location of future development;
  • The average service levels provided in a municipality over the 15-year period immediately preceding the preparation of the background study;
  • Capital cost calculations for each eligible Development Charge service; and
  • An examination of the long-term capital and operating costs for the infrastructure required to service the forecasted development.

What are Development Charges and why are they important?

Development charges are fees on new developments that fund growth-related costs for the Township which are governed by the Development Charges Act, 1997. The Development Charges Background Study relates to the provision of eligible DC Services which includes Development-Related Studies, Library Services, Fire Protection Services, Parks and Recreation, and Services Related to a Highway.

The principle behind development charges is that growth should pay for growth. Development Charges ease the financial burden of growth-related capital costs on existing taxpayers. Without development charges, the cost of growth-related infrastructure would fall entirely to existing property taxpayers in the form of higher property taxes.

How are Development Charges determined?

The Development Charges Act, 1997 provides municipalities with the authority to pass by-laws to impose Development Charges. The Act and Ontario Regulation 82/98 require that, prior to passing a Development Charges by-law, municipalities must prepare a Development Charges Background Study that includes the following elements:

  • The forecasted amount, type and location of future development;
  • The average service levels provided in a municipality over the 15-year period immediately preceding the preparation of the background study;
  • Capital cost calculations for each eligible Development Charge service; and
  • An examination of the long-term capital and operating costs for the infrastructure required to service the forecasted development.
Consultation has concluded

  • Notice of the Passing of the Development Charges By-law

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    TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Township of Muskoka Lakes passed Development Charge By-law No. 2024-055 on the 12th day of June 2024, under Section 2 of the Development Charges Act, 1997 (the Act).

    AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal under Section 14 of the Act, in respect of the Development Charges By-law, by filing with the Clerk of the Township of Muskoka Lakes on or before Monday, July 22nd, 2024, a notice of appeal setting out the objection to the By-law and the reasons supporting the objection. Appeals filed with the Office of the Clerk at 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0, will be accepted on or before Monday, July 22nd, 2024. The appellant is advised to contact the Ontario Land Tribunal to access required forms and applicable fees.

    The charges in the aforementioned by-law will apply to all new residential and non-residential development, subject to certain terms, conditions and limited exemptions as identified therein.

    The development charges were calculated on a Township-wide basis. Township-wide development charges are levied against new development to pay for the increased capital costs related to the provision of such municipal services as: Development-Related Studies, Library Services, Fire Protection, Parks and Recreation, and Services Related to a Highway.

    Schedule 1 below provides the new residential and non-residential development charge rates applicable throughout the Township of Muskoka Lakes.

    The development charges imposed under the By-law come into effect on the 1st day of July 2024. Copies of the complete Development Charges By-law are available for examination by appointment in the offices of the municipality located at 1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0, and on the website at www.muskokalakes.ca.

    For further information, please contact the Clerk’s Office at 705-765-3156.

    Dated at the Township of Muskoka Lakes, 20th day of June, 2024

    Cheryl Hollows, Manager of Legislative Services/Deputy Clerk

    Township of Muskoka Lakes

    1 Bailey Street, Port Carling, ON, P0B 1J0

    Schedule 1 – Township-wide Development Charges