Development charges are one-time fees collected by municipalities on new residential and non-residential properties to help pay for a share of growth-related capital infrastructure needs.
Development charges are broken down by type of residential development are indexed semi-annually. The City collects development charges on behalf of the City, the Region of Durham and Durham area school boards.
Completion of a background study can occur every 5 years to determine how development charges are spent. Only capital projects in the current Development Charges Background Study are eligible for funding. Approval of growth-related spending occurs annually as part of the City's budget process.