About the 2024 Development Charges Background Study
June 26, 2023
Oxford County and seven local area municipalities are working together to update their development charge background studies to prepare to pass new development charge by-laws.
- Oxford County
- Town of Ingersoll
- Town of Tillsonburg
- Township of Blandford-Blenheim
- Township of East Zorra-Tavistock
- Township of Norwich
- Township of South-West Oxford
- Township of Zorra
As part of this process, the municipalities are seeking feedback about the current development charges, policies, exemptions, by-law administration, and other matters.
What are development charges?
Development charges are the fees paid by land developers to help finance the municipal infrastructure and services that are needed to support new growth in residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Through development charges, municipalities are able to provide reliable and financially sustainable roads, water, wastewater, fire and ambulance, parks and more.
Oxford County and Area Municipalities’ development charge by-laws will expire in mid-2024, requiring the background studies to be updated before new by-laws can be passed. A background study will include evidence of projected population and business or industry growth in a community; outline what services are needed to support that level of growth; and assess existing infrastructure.
What's new
There have also been a number of legislative changes that have been brought about by the More Homes Built Faster Act (i.e., Bill 23) that will need to be reflected in the background studies and by-laws. Some of the main changes to the Development Charges Act brought about by Bill 23 include:
- Non-profit housing is now exempt from the payment of development charges.
- Rental housing development will now receive mandatory reductions to development charges based on the number of bedrooms in each unit.
- Mandatory exemptions have been introduced for affordable, attainable and inclusionary zoning units.
- Development charges must now be phased in over a 5-year period.
Download the 2024 Background Study Overview for more detailed information.
How to have a say
Comments and questions about the 2024 Background Study are welcome now. Please use the "Question and comment form" below or send your comment directly to the project contacts.
As the new development charges background study and policies are drafted in the second phase of the consultation process, there will be a public meeting to explain the proposed changes and also more ways to provide input.
Each of the municipalities will post a copy of the draft background study on their municipal website at least 60 days before a public meeting is held by each council to consider the new by-laws.
