Development Application Fees

Fees are required with the submission of planning applications. These fees cover some of the work undertaken by planning, infrastructure, legal, financial and public works staff in their review of development proposals. In addition, the City collects the initial fees for the Conservation Authorities.

Housing organizations that are charitable or non-profit are exempted from paying any Planning Application Fees. Conservation Authority and Engineering Design Review and Inspection fees are not subject to this exemption.

Each planning fee will be reduced by 10% if two or more planning applications are submitted at the same time and for the same lands. Committee of Adjustment, Conservation Authority, Engineering Design Review and Inspection fees are not subject to this reduction.

In some cases the Development Charges for a project may be collected through the processing of a planning application, for example when a subdivision agreement is entered into.

For more information, contact Client Service Centre.

Fee Increase January 1, 2009

City Council approved the 2009 budget on December 10, 2008. The budget includes a variety of measures to increase user fees geared to reducing the level of subsidization from property taxes in accordance with Council’s approved Fiscal Framework. The following changes to planning fees will be effective January 1, 2009.

• An increase of approximately eight per cent in planning application fees (some fees are slightly higher or lower due to rounding).
• A flat fee of $750 per day for the review of fourth and subsequent engineering submissions.
• A planning review fee for Committee of Adjustment applications of $300 for Minor Variance applications and $500 for (primary) Consent applications.

These fee changes will bring the direct costs of the development review process close to 100 per cent cost recovery. Please note that the Conservation Authorities have also approved fee changes effective January 1, 2009.