To review the pre-payment and deferral options available from the Regional Municipality of York, please visit http://www.york.ca/Business/Development+Charges/default+Development+Charges.htm

The following information provides an overview of the City of Markham development charges and is intended for use as a guide. You should review the by-laws and the Development Charges Act, 1997 , and consult with the Development Finance Staff at the City of Markham.

• Development Charges Bylaws
• Development Charges Rates
• Development Charges Information Package ( 12p - rates as at January 1, 2013)
  (Includes: sample calculation sheets, area maps, rates and information)

Background Studies

• 2013 Draft Development Charges Background Study ( 1.3MB)
• 2009 Development Charges Background Study ( 667k/143p)
• 2008 Development Charges Background Study ( 1.9M/107p)
  

About Development Charges

Development charges are imposed against all new development (residential and non-residential lands, buildings or structures) within the City in accordance with the Development Charges Act, 1997.

By-laws enforce the application of development charges that are required to recover the growth-related capital costs associated with providing infrastructure and facilities to service new development.

Three types of development charges within the City are imposed under a number of by-laws. They are:

• City-Wide Soft development charge (TWS) by-law 2009-120;
• City-Wide Hard development charge (TWH) by-laws, 2008-124 and 2008-125; and
• Area-Specific development charge (ASDC) by-laws 2008-126 to 2008-144 inclusive.

Do I have to pay?

Every development application is evaluated to determine to what extent development charges are applicable. You may be required to pay development charges for any residential or non-residential development if you are:

• erecting a new (not replacement) 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

Who collects these charges?

The City of Markham collects development charges and education development charges on behalf of itself and three external jurisdictions. Charges are collected on behalf of and remitted to the Region of York, the York District School Board and the York Catholic District School Board as required by law. Each jurisdiction is responsible for setting the rates of its own development charges and for determining any exemptions.

When are the charges collected?

For subdivisions, a portion of the total development charges is required at the time the subdivision agreement is executed. The balance is collected at the building permit stage.

All development charges must be paid in full prior to the issuance of a building permit.

What is an area specific development charge?

An area specific development charge is applied by the municipality in areas where services and infrastructure benefit a specific geographical area. As a result, municipal development charges are more equitably distributed.

Landowners may enter into credit agreements with the municipality to provide infrastructure works and services instead of paying all or a portion of the applicable area specific charge.

How much can I expect to pay?

Development Charges are adjusted semi-annually on January 1st and July 1st of each year, in accordance with the Statistics Canada Quarterly Construction Price Statistics Index. View Markham's current development rates.

The amount of development charges you are required to pay depends on several factors, including:

• Type of development - Is it residential or non residential? -Is it a single detached dwelling or apartment?
  
  
• Size of development - For residential developments, a combination of the site area (in net hectares) and the number and type of dwelling units.
  
  For non-residential development, a combination of the floor area and site area (in net hectares).
  
  
• Location of Development - Where your property is located will determine if an area specific development charge is applicable.
  
  
• Indexing of charge rates - Each jurisdiction indexes its charges from time to time.
  
  
• Exemptions - Development charges are not intended to be collected more than once for the same service. Exemptions may be permitted if a service has already been provided, the development replaces some of the floor area eliminated via demolition, or as approved by the affected jurisdiction.

In all instances you must establish that the proposed development is entitled to an exemption. You should check with each jurisdiction to determine if you qualify for any exemptions. 

Who do I call for more information?

For inquiries dealing with calculations and exemptions, each jurisdiction should be contacted with respect to their respective development charge by-laws. The contact persons are listed below:

Hard copies of Markham's development charge by-laws are available between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday at:

Clerk's Department
City of Markham
Anthony Roman Centre
101 Town Centre Boulevard, "Great Hall" Entrance
Tel. 905-475-4744