Development Charges

The City of St. Catharines approved a Development Charges By-law and Background Study at its Sept. 13, 2021 meeting.

Council approved the decision after the City engaged Watson & Associates Economics Ltd. to undertake an in-depth Development Charges Background Study, followed by extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders include the development industry and the City's Development Studies task force. An addendum report was also completed on Sept 3. The development charge by-law came into effect Jan. 1, 2022.

What are development charges?

Under our Development Charges By-law, Development Charges (DC) are a fee charged when a building permit is issued to recover growth costs, as an alternative to growth costs being paid for by existing taxpayers through property taxes, water and wastewater bills. Fees are used to help pay for the cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to a new development, such as roads, transit, water and sewer infrastructure, fire services infrastructure, park amenities, library services and community centers.

When do you pay development fees?

If you are planning a construction project, you must consult with your local building official to apply for a building permit. You will pay development charges to the local municipality as part of the building permit fee process.

Grant Programs

As set out in By-Law No. 2021-140 the City has implemented a Development Charges Grant Program for Industrial developments, Affordable housing developments and developments within the Urban Growth Centre. An application is required to be submitted prior to receiving a building permit in order to be eligible up to 100 per cent of the City Development Charges fees payable. For more information email dc@stcatharines.ca

Regional development charges

New land developments and redevelopments in the Niagara Region create a demand on the regional government to offer services to those buildings. The purpose of regional development charges is to recover the growth-related costs associated with capital infrastructure needed to service new development.

Any person or business who is planning a construction project must consult with their local building official to obtain a building permit. Regional development charges are paid to the local municipality as part of the building permit fee process.

Development Charges Pamphlet 2025

A comprehensive overview of By-law No. 2021-140 highlighting rules, approvals, exemptions, reductions and detailed fees classified by service. Development Charges Pamphlet- City of St. Catharines Rates January 1, 2026 to December 31, 2026.

Historical Pamphlets

Treasurer's Statements

City Development Charge Rates 2026 (effective Jan. 1, 2026, to Dec. 31, 2026)
Residential (per dwelling unit)	Urban	Rural
Single and semi-detached	$14,007	$13,598
Other multiples	$10,274	$9,973
Apartments (two plus bedrooms)	$10,170	$9,874
Apartments (Bachelor/One bedroom)	$6,954	$6,751
Special care/Special dwelling units	$5,257	$5,103
Non-residential (per square foot)	$2.45	$2.10
Non-residential (per square metre)	$26.20	$22.38

City Development Charge Rates 2025 (effective Jan. 1, 2025, to Dec. 31, 2025)
Residential (per dwelling unit)	Urban	Rural
Single and semi-detached	$13,441	$13,049
Other multiples	$9,858	$9,570
Apartments (two plus bedrooms)	$9,759	$9,475
Apartments (Bachelor/One bedroom)	$6,674	$6,479
Special care/Special dwelling units	$5,044	$4,896
Non-residential (per square foot)	$2.34	$2.00
Non-residential (per square metre)	$25.18	$21.51

*Note: With the recent consolidation of transit services, the Niagara Region will take over the collection of development charges for the services of transit within the Regional Development Charges (RDCs).

Development Charges Interest Rate Policy

The City of St. Catharines Development Charges Interest Rate Policy- as presented in Report FMS-B011-2022 effective as of June 2022.