Development Charges on a New House in Ontario, by Municipality (2026)

Of the 129 municipalities we have on file, King is highest: up to $173,185 on a new single detached house, counting the municipal, regional and school-board charges together. 30 municipalities charge $100,000 or more, most of them in Toronto and the York, Peel, Halton and Durham regions.

It depends heavily on where. The median across the 129 municipalities we have on file is $50,564, the highest is $173,185 (King) and the lowest is $898 (East Hawkesbury). Many charges also differ inside a municipality, usually between lots with municipal water and sewer and lots without.

Generally no. Ontario's Development Charges Act exempts one garden suite in a separate backyard building, on a serviced lot or a rural one, as long as the house has no more than two units. That is why a suite can cost far less to permit than a new house on the same street. Confirm with your municipality before you budget.

No. A development charge is levied per new dwelling unit, whatever the construction method, so a factory-built house pays the same charge as a site-built one. The savings with a factory-built home are in the build price and the schedule, not in the charges.

Yes, where a board levies one. Both the public and the Catholic board's education development charge apply to a new house, whatever the household's school support, because the charge is imposed against the land (Education Act s. 257.54(1)). 60 of the ranked municipalities have school-board charges on file.

Most municipalities index their charges once a year, often on January 1 or on the anniversary of the by-law, and replace the by-law every five to ten years. The ranking shows the date each municipal schedule took effect. Check with the municipality before you apply, because the charge is usually payable when the building permit is issued.