Consult with your local building official
Any person or business who is planning a construction project must consult with their local building official to get a building permit. Regional development charges is just one component of your building permit fee.
Complete and submit the proper forms
Your local building official will provide you with more information and access to all the forms that will need to be completed before moving ahead.
Review building permit and pay fees before proceeding
Once the building permit request is submitted, your local official will provide you with a breakdown of costs, including permit fees, local development charges and Regional development charges. Regional development charges must be paid before the building permit will be issued unless the development meets the eligibility criteria for annual installments.
Annual installments
Under section 26.1 of the Development Charges Act, there are certain types of development that are eligible for payment of development charges in annual installments. An installment acknowledgement letter is required from the applicant before a building permit is issued
Rental housing development includes rental housing that is not non-profit housing. Housing must contain four or more dwelling units, all of which are intended for use as rented residential premises.
Payment schedule
Rental housing developments are eligible for development charges to be paid in six equal installments.
The first installment is due at time of occupancy or issuance of an occupancy permit (which ever occurs first)
The following five installments are due on annual anniversary of due date of first payment
Installments are subject to five per cent interest rate on installments (annual, non-compounding)
Non-profit housing development means development of a building or structure intended for use as residential premises by:
A corporation without share capital to which the Corporations Act applies, that is in good standing under that act and whose primary object is to provide housing
A corporation without share capital to which the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act applies, that is in good standing under that act and whose primary object is to provide housing
A non-profit housing co-operative that is in good standing under the Co-operative Corporations Act. O. Reg. 454/19
Payment schedule
Non-profit housing developments are eligible for development charges to be paid in 21 equal installments.
The first installment is due at time of occupancy or issuance of an occupancy permit (which ever occurs first)
The following twenty installments are due on annual anniversary of due date of first payment
Installments for this development type are exempt from interest charges
The person responsible for paying development charges must get confirmation that the development charges annual installment acknowledgement letter has been received before a building permit is issued.
The local municipality will forward a copy of the acknowledgement letter to Niagara Region with the email address noted on the letter.
Schedule of payment installments
The person responsible for paying development charges must notify the local municipality and Niagara Region in writing within five business days of the building first being occupied unless an occupancy permit has been issued by the local municipality for the purposes of section 26.1 of the Development Charges Act.
Niagara Region will provide an installment schedule to the person required to pay development charges once notified of occupancy or issuance of an occupancy permit.
Acknowledgement of the payment schedule and the first installment payment is due within 15 days of the payment schedule being provided. Payment must be provided as per the schedule. No further notification of upcoming payments will be given.
Any installment payment defaults will be subject to a Regional administration fee of $550 as per the Region's user fee by-law.
Early payment agreement
Owners may enter into an early payment agreement with the Region if the payment is to be made before prescribed installment due dates. The owner(s) must notify the Region and complete the early payment agreement form.
You may pay the full development charges, plus accrued interest (if applicable) at any time.