Community Benefits Charge By-law, rate and payments

On June 22, 2022, City Council approved its first Community Benefits Charges (CBC) By-law 0134-2022 and Community Benefits Charges Strategy after completing the Community Benefits Charge By-law review. The new by-law and rates came into effect on June 23, 2022.

The CBC is applicable to developments or redevelopments that have five or more storeys and ten or more residential units.

Learn more about how the CBC is applied:

Calculating your community benefits charge rate

The City charges 4% of the development land value as of the day before the building permit is issued.

The City will undertake a land value appraisal to determine the amount payable. It can take between 4-6 weeks to complete an appraisal. A building permit will not be issued without the completion of the following:

  • Appraisal
  • Calculation
  • Payment of applicable community benefits charges

Payments and exemptions

During the building permit application process, you will receive an invoice that outlines the CBCs that apply to your development project and the total amount owed. You must pay CBCs before you receive your building permit.

You can pay your CBC by electronic funds transfer or wire transfer.

Any available exemptions will be determined during your building permit application review.

Section 5 of the CBC By-law identifies exclusions that are not subject to the charge, such as:

  • Long-term care homes
  • Retirement homes
  • Universities
  • Colleges,
  • Indigenous institutes
  • Royal Canadian Legion buildings
  • Hospices
  • Non-profit housing
  • Homes for special care

CBC might not be applicable if the development or redevelopment was previously subject to a Section 37 Agreement. Contact the Development Planner on your file for more information.

Contact us

For questions about the City’s community benefits charges or the appraisal process, please call 311 (905-615-4311 outside City limits) or email customer service.