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Development Charges
Development charges are fees collected from developers at the time of a building permit to help pay for the cost of infrastructure required to provide municipal services to new development and ease the financial burden on taxpayers to fund new services resulting from growth.
The following services are funded from development charges:
- Fire Protection Services
- Library Services
- Parks and Recreation Services
- Public Works (Facilities & Fleet)
- Services Related to a Highway
- Stormwater Drainage and Control Services
- Wastewater Services
- Water Services
- Growth Studies – Other
Development charges apply to all lands in the City of Cambridge, except lands owned by and used for the purposes of the municipality, school board, hospital or farm related structures.
Development Charges Background Study & By-laws
As per the Development Charges Act, Council has the authority to pass a By-law to impose Development Charges. The Act requires that a Development Charges Background Study be completed.
The City’s Development Charge By-law 19-094 was effective July 1, 2019, based on the Development Charges Background Study – March 21, 2019 and Addendum #1 and Addendum #2. It was subsequently amended effective January 19, 2022, based on the Development Charges Update Study – October 29, 2021. It was further amended effective April 20, 2022, based on the Development Charges Background Study Update – February 1, 2022.
In early 2022, the City retained Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson) to undertake the process of working with staff to complete the latest study. The results of that Development Charges Background Study – December 22, 2023 and the Development Charges By-laws were presented to Council during a public meeting on April 16, 2024 to solicit public input.
Council passed the Development Charges By-laws during the April 30, 2024 Council meeting - Effective June 1, 2024.
As a result of the passing of Bill 185, Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. (Watson) provided the City with a Memorandum on August 7, 2024, amending the Development Charges By-laws. Council passed the amendments during the October 22, 2024 Council meeting - Effective October 23, 2024.
Development Charge Rates
| Development Charge Rates - Effective December 1, 2024 - November 30, 2025 |
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| Development Charge Rates - Effective October 23, 2024 - November 30, 2024 |
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| Development Charge Rates - Effective June 1, 2024 – October 22, 2024 |
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| Development Charge Rates - Effective until May 31, 2024 |
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Please note rates are indexed annually on December 1.
Please refer to the City of Cambridge Development Charges Brochure to learn more.
Interest Charges
Under sections 26.1 and 26.2 of the Development Charges Act, the City may charge interest on certain types of developments. The City’s Development Charge Interest Policy establishes the rules and procedures for the City’s charging of interest on Development Charges.
Regional Development Charges
The Region of Waterloo issues regional development charges for development in the City of Cambridge. For information about Regional development charges, call 519-575-4421.
School Board Development Charges
For information about school board development charges, contact the following Boards in the Region of Waterloo:
Annual Statement of the Treasurer
The annual statement of the treasurer provides details on the development charge reserve fund activity which includes services covered, development charge collections, interest earned, funding transfers, debt financing and future funding obligations.
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2023
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2022
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2021
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2020
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2019
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2018
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2017
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2016
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2015
- Development Charges Year End Report as of December 31, 2014
For further information of development charges at the City of Cambridge, please contact cfo@cambridge.ca.