Development charges

Updated April 1, 2021

Amendments to Oxford County’s development charges by-laws, passed by Council on March 24, are now posted to the Oxford County website at www.oxfordcounty.ca/developmentcharges. By-laws come into effect on April 1, 2021. 

Read the Notice of Passing of Development Charges By-law Amendments 

Updated February 26, 2021
 

On February 24, County Council adopted the recommendation in CS 2021-10 – Development Charges Study and Update – 2021, a report that allowed for the consultant presentation and public meeting on development charges. 

Final Council consideration and adoption of the updated Background Study and revised bylaws is scheduled for March 24, with the updated by-laws coming into effect on April 1.

January 22, 2021

Following a series of amendments to the Development Charges Act last year, Oxford County is updating its development charges and the supporting background study that is used to set these fees.

The County last undertook a full review of its development charges in 2019. The proposed changes for 2021 are an interim update to comply with legislative changes brought in by Ontario's More Homes, More Choice Act and the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Act.

What are development charges?

Development charges are the fees paid by new development 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. Under legislation, municipalities must update their development charges and the accompanying background study every five years.

What's changing 

Some of the key legislative updates we've considered in our update include: 

• Exemptions for intensification of housing, a move that supports the Province’s commitment to increasing housing supply; 
• Library, land ambulance, waste diversion services and growth-related studies are now fully funded by growth (development charges), meaning that municipalities will no longer be required to fund 10% of these costs; and 
• Installment payments for rental housing, institutional and non-profit housing developments. 

For a full explanation of changes, read the Watson & Associates 2021 Development Charges Update Study.

How to have a say

PLEASE NOTE THE COMMENT PERIOD HAS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SUBMITTED FEEDBACK.

1. Attend or delegate at the public meeting: Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 7 pm

• This meeting is part of the regularly scheduled County Council meeting and is a virtual (online meeting) that can be viewed at www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream. 
• You must pre-register to speak or present at the public meeting. For information about how to participate, please read the public notice.
• If you require an alternate format or communication support, please contact the Clerk with at least seven (7) days’ notice prior to the meeting.

2. Submit a comment

• Comments can be submitted in advance to the County Clerk:
  Chloe J. Senior, Clerk
  Email: csenior@oxfordcounty.ca
   Mail: Oxford County, 21 Reeve Street, PO Box 1614, Woodstock, ON N4S 7Y3
• You can also submit your comment using the "Submit a comment" section below. Comments must be submitted by February 24, 2021, at 7:00 p.m.

3. Ask a question

• Ask a question about development charges in the "Ask a question" section below