Development Charges are calculated at the time of complete application submission for site plan control or zoning bylaw amendments and frozen at this rate for a period of eighteen months from the time of approval. If neither site plan control nor zoning bylaw amendments are applicable, the rate payable is determined at the time of issuing the first building permit.
Development Fees and Charges
Check out the Development Charges Review Project on Get Involved Kingston for more information and to review the Draft 2024 Development Charges Background Study and recent Addendum.
Development fees and charges are important funding sources that fund public services and infrastructure required to support new growth.
Development fees are collected to recover the costs associated with processing and reviewing development applications, as well as delivering related municipal services.
Development charges help fund the construction of new infrastructure that is required to support future development. Without these charges, the financial burden of growth would fall on residents through increased property taxes or utility rates.
Community benefit charges are applied to high-density developments and help fund additional community amenities, such as parks, recreational facilities, or cultural spaces, that are not covered by development charges.
Together, these funding tools are used to pay for the costs that come with new growth.
Development charges
The Development Charges Act (DC Act) authorizes municipalities to charge property owners for the costs of improving or expanding services due to development. We use development charges as a funding source to pay for increased capital costs such as roads, emergency services, transit, and parks.
Development charges apply to all lands in the City of Kingston. Charges for water and wastewater services apply only to developments in the urban service area of the city.
The DC Act requires that we prepare a Development Charges Background Study prior to establishing a Development Charges Bylaw. The purpose of the background study is to identify the services and charges that are related to different types of development.
Our current Development Charges Bylaw, City of Kingston By-Law Number 2025-142, establishes development charges for the City of Kingston. This bylaw is supported by the 2024 Development Charges Background Study.
Development charges are adjusted on September 1 each year in accordance with the most recent second quarter year over year change in the Statistics Canada Quarterly “Construction Price Statistics” (Ottawa Region).
The Development Charges Pamphlet summarizes the provisions outlined in the Development Charges Bylaw, including eligible exemptions as well as a table summarizing the development charges based on development type for both city-wide and urban service areas. The pamphlet is intended only as a guide. Applicants should review the complete Development Charges Bylaw and consult with the City’s Building Department to determine the charges that may apply to specific development proposals.
Development charge policies
Find below more information on development charges, including payment options, exemptions and redevelopment credits.
Applicable charges and rate freeze rules
Rental housing and institutional development can pay development charges in six annual instalments starting at the time of building occupancy.
The first payment is due on the date the building is first occupied or the date of issuance of an occupancy permit. Each of the additional five payments will be due on the anniversary of the occupancy date, payable with accrued interest based on the average prime rate plus 1% as per the Development Charges Act.
Rental housing developments consisting of four or more residential units are subject to discounted development charges based on the number of bedrooms:
- 25% for three or more bedrooms
- 20% for two bedrooms
- 15% for bachelor and one bedroom
Additional second and third residential units are exempt from development charges on properties containing single, semi or row house buildings. The additional units can either be both within the main building, or one in the main building and one in a detached building.
Additional statutory and non-statutory exemptions are available. Applicants should review the complete Development Charges By-Law and consult with the City’s Building Department. Anyone seeking an exemption from the City of Kingston Development Charge Bylaw must complete the Application for Development Charge Exemption.
A reduction in development charges under the Development Charges Bylaw is allowed in the case of a demolition or redevelopment of a residential, non-residential, or mixed-use building or structure, provided that the building or structure was occupied within the prior five years or a demolition permit has been issued within five years prior to the issuance of a building permit for redevelopment of the lands.
A reduction in development charges will not exceed the amount of the development charge that would otherwise be payable, and no reduction is available if the existing land use is exempt under this bylaw or a previous bylaw.
2024 Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement
Each year the City Treasurer provides Council with a statement of the annual activity of the City’s Development Charges Reserve Fund, including the information outlined in Section 12 of Ontario Regulation 82/98.
The statement is available through the Office of the City Clerk or online in the Report Number 25-097, 2024 Development Charges Reserve Fund Statement.
Learn more about development charges with the City Treasurer:
Community benefit charges
In the past, Section 37 of the Planning Act allowed cities to permit taller or denser buildings in exchange for community benefits, known as density bonusing. This has been replaced with Community Benefits Charges, which are fees we can apply to new residential developments that are at least five storeys in height and that provide at least 10 residential units, with some exceptions.
2025 Planning application fees
Submit your applications online through DASH.
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Pre-Application | $437.10 | $437.10 | - | - |
| Major Pre-Application | $1,060.90 | $1,060.90 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Concurrent Applications Public Meeting Notice (per Application Deposit) (PMN) | $422.10 | $422.10 | - | - |
| Notice to Cancel Public Meeting | $510.60 | $510.60 | - | - |
| Public Notice (PN) | $277.30 | $277.30 | - | - |
| Remailing of Public Meeting Notice | $510.60 | $510.60 | - | - |
| Public Notice - Committee of Adjustment applications | $166.45 | $166.45 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
About fees: PMN fees and/or engineering fees may apply to your situation in addition to the fees listed in this table.
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee | $9,275.20 | $8,410.30 | $422.10 | $442.80 per submission | - |
| Developments in Excess of 3000 square metres of floor area or 50 dwelling units | $15,406.40 | $14,541.50 | $422.10 | $442.80 per submission | - |
| Letter of Compliance | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee (1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Minor Application (See Note) | $4,864.35 | $4,144.25 | $277.30 | $422.80 | - |
| Basic Fee | $9,130.40 | $8,410.30 | $277.30 | $422.80 | - |
| Developments in Excess of 3,000 square metres of floor area or 50 dwelling units | $14,451.70 | $13,731.60 | $277.30 | $422.80 | - |
| Application submitted concurrently with Official Plan Amendment | $5,009.15 | $4,144.25 | $277.30 | $422.80 | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
The term "Minor Application" shall apply to:
- the rezoning of a residential building with four units or less which conforms to the Official Plan and will be contained within the walls of an existing structure; or,
- the rezoning involving a change in non-residential use which conforms to the Official Plan and will be contained within the walls of an existing structure.
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee |
| Removal of 'H' Holding Overlay for residential buildings with up to 4 dwelling units on 1 property | $515.00 | $515.00 | - | - |
| Partial removal of Municipal Servicing Allocation Holding Overlay(*) | $515.00 | $515.00 | - | - |
| Removal of 'H' Holding Overlay for all other applications | $2,559.80 | $2,559.80 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Where an application for the partial removal of the Municipal Servicing Allocation Holding Overlay is submitted concurrently with another Planning Act Application, no fee is applicable.
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee | $9,130.40 | $8,410.30 | $277.30 | $442.80 | - |
| Developments in Excess of 3000 square metres of floor area or 50 dwelling units | $13,665.40 | $12,945.30 | $277.30 | $442.80 | - |
| Applications to Extend Approval | $3,158.10 | $2,438.00 | $277.30 | $442.80 | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee (All Applications) | $5,303.26 | $3,778.60 | $1,116.30 | $408.36 |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Draft Approval: less than 50 Units | $6,889.25 plus per lot or unit cost | $6,472.30 plus $139.65 per lot or unit | $277.30 | - | - |
| Draft Approval: 50 Units or more | $11,770.40 plus per lot or unit cost | $11,337.25 plus $155.85 per lot or unit | $277.30 | - | - |
| Request to Amend Conditions of Draft Approval | $2,183.85 | $2,183.85 | - | - | - |
| Subdivision Agreement | $16,613.51 | 14,479.70 | - | - | $2,133.81 |
| Request to Amend Subdivision Agreement | $3,140.17 | $2,438.00 | - | - | $702.17 |
| Request for Pre-Servicing Agreement | $3,140.17 | $2,438.00 | - | - | $702.17 |
| Request for Model Home Agreement | $1,433.62 | $731.45 | - | - | $702.17 |
| Letter of Compliance | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN fee would apply.
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Draft Approval: Less than 50 Units | $5,200.05 plus per unit cost | $4,827.25 plus $95.50 per unit | $277.30 | - | - |
| Draft Approval: 50 Units or more | $6,870.90 plus per unit cost | $6,471.80 plus $121.80 per unit | $277.30 | - | - |
| Request to Amend Conditions of Draft Approval | $2,438.00 | $2,438.00 | - | - | - |
| Final Plan and Condominium Agreement | $6,420.17 | $4,827.25 | - | - | $1,592.92 |
| Request to Amend Condominium Agreement | $3,140.17 | $2,438.00 | - | - | $702.17 |
| Request to Amend Condominium Description and/or Declaration | $568.35 | $568.35 | - | - | - |
| Letter of Compliance | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN fee would apply.
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee (*)(2) |
| Minor Site Plan Control Application (see Notes for minor applications) | $2,303.77 | $1,158.80 | $442.80 | $702.17 |
| Modification to Minor Application | $1,620.77 | $475.80 | $442.80 | $702.17 |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| 11-50 units | $6,759.17 plus per unit cost | $4,509.90 plus $121.80 per unit | $1,425.30 | $702.17 |
| Over 50 units | $7,380.67 plus per unit cost | $5,119.50plus $133.70 per unit | $1,425.30 | $702.17 |
| All Other Development less than 3,000 square metres of floor area | $6,777.02 plus per 100 square metres of gross floor | $4,509.90 plus $139.65 per 100 square metres of gross floor area | $1,425.30 | $702.17 |
| All Other Development in excess of 3,000 square metres of floor area | $7,394.12 plus per 100 square metres of gross floor | $5,119.50 plus $147.15 per 100 square metres of gross floor area | $1,425.30 | $702.17 |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Site Plan Control – Modification to Plans, Conditions or Agreement
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Amending agreement required | $4,206.57 | $2,388.10 | - | $1,425.30 | $702.17 |
| Amending agreement not required | $1,969.80 | $853.50 | - | $1,425.30 | - |
| Letter of Compliance (per Agreement) | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - | - |
| Preparation of Site Plan Control Agreement | $702.17 | - | - | - | $702.17 |
| Above ground Utilities Infrastructure containing less than 300 square metres of floor space | $2,593.50 | $2,316.20 | $277.30 | - | - |
| Request for Security Reduction/Release | $579.05 | $579.05 | - | - | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Review of radiocommunication facilities | $2,316.20 | $2,316.20 | - | - |
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Committee of Adjustment – Consents
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Technical/Delegated Authority Consents (See Notes) | $2,900.35 | $2,291.10 | $166.45 | $442.80 per submission | - |
| Consents filed concurrently with a Minor Variance | $1,828.75 | $1,219.50 | $166.45 | $442.80 per submission | - |
| All other Consents | $3,594.35 | $2,985.10 | $166.45 | $442.80 per submission | - |
| Resubmission of Application within 3 months of lapsing of approval of original application | $2,011.70 | $1,402.45 | $166.45 | $442.80 | - |
| Change Conditions of Consent | $1,648.05 | $694.65 | $510.60 | $442.80 | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Committee of Adjustment – Minor Variances
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| All other Minor Variances - Category 1 and 3 |
$3,047.25 | $2,438.00 | $166.45 | $442.80 per submission | |
| Minor Variances - Category 2 | $1,094.35 | $485.10 | $166.45 | $442.80 per submission |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Category 2 Fee will be applicable for the following minor variance applications:
-
- Urban residential - Accessory Uses (e.g. swimming pools, sheds, detached garages, air conditioners, pool equipment). Permission to vary the height, setbacks, lot coverage, and floor area.
- Rural - Accessory Uses to a principal use (e.g. Storage barn, drive shed, detached garage). Permission to vary the height, setbacks, lot coverage, and floor area.
- Covered or uncovered porches, deck and stairs.
Committee of Adjustment – Other Miscellaneous Fees
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Notice to Cancel Public Hearing | $500.90 | $500.90 | - | - |
| Recirculation of Public Hearing Notice (Due to amended application or rescheduling of hearing) | $500.90 | $500.90 | - | - |
| Letter of Compliance | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - |
| Legal Non-Compliance Letter | $546.35 | $546.35 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
PN/PMN Fee(1) |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee - New Area or Project Plan | $14,818.80 | $14,541.50 | $277.30 | - | - |
| Community Improvement Plan Amendment | $8,410.30 | $8,410.30 | - | - | - |
Note:
(1) For concurrent applications, PMN Fee would apply
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee (All applications) | $2,412.90 | $2,412.90 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Basic Fee (All applications) | $126.70 | $126.70 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Civic Address Change (Owner request) | $500.00 | $500.00 | - | - |
| Change of Assigned Road Name (not including administration fees and road signage preparation and installation fees as determined by Public Works | $3,477.85 | $3,477.85 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Permit | $539.41 | $477.35 | - | HST - 13% $62.06 |
| Site Alteration Permit Renewal (Valid only if Site Alteration Permit is renewed 30 days before original expiry date) | $268.85 | $237.92 | - | HST - 13% $30.93 |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| 1-5 Trees | $116.40 | $116.40 | - | - |
| 6-15 Trees | $232.90 | $232.90 | - | - |
| More than 15 Trees | $465.40 | $465.40 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Valid only if a Tree Permit is renewed 30 days before original expiry date.
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| 1-5 Trees | $38.50 | $38.50 | - | - |
| 6-15 Trees | $77.60 | $77.60 | - | - |
| More than 15 Trees | $154.95 | $154.95 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Renewable Energy Projects – Completion of a Municipal Consultation Form
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Projects 10 KW and less | $248.90 | - | $220.27 | HST - 13% $28.63 |
| Projects greater than 10 KW and less than 1 MW | $1,309.29 | - | $1,158.67 | HST - 13% $150.62 |
| Project 1 MW and greater | $5,784.86 | - | $5,119.34 | HST - 13% $665.52 |
| Plus, per 1 MW | $166.06 | - | $146.95 | HST - 13% $19.11 |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Administration Fee | $487.75 | $487.75 | - | - |
| Photocopies/Printing of Documents – black and white per page | $0.35 | $0.31 | - | HST - 13% $0.04 |
| Photocopies/Printing of Documents – Colour per page | $1.51 | $1.33 | - | HST - 13% $0.17 |
| Information Search (Per Hour) | $92.55 | $92.55 | - | - |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Development Engineering Review Fees
- Additional hourly rates may apply in addition to those noted below.
- Plan of Subdivision: Final fees are calculated in accordance with the Subdivision Agreement
|
Application type |
Total |
Base Fee |
Engineering Fee |
Legal/Other Fee(*)(2) |
| Committee of Adjustment Review | $442.80 | - |
$442.80 |
- |
| Official Plan Amendment Review | $442.80 | - |
$442.80 |
- |
| Zoning By-Law Amendment review | $442.80 | - |
$442.80 |
- |
| Site Plan Control Review – Minor application. – including modifications | $442.80 | - |
$442.80 |
- |
| Site Plan Control review – Major application. – including modifications | $1,425.30 | - |
$1,425.30 |
- |
| Plan of Subdivision – Construction cost of less than $300,000 (Deposit) | $5,000.00 | - |
$5,000.00 |
- |
| Plan of Subdivision – Construction cost of more than $300,000 (Deposit) | $10,000.00 | - |
$10,000.00 |
- |
| Resubmitted Lot Grading Certificate – previously rejected | $224.60 | - |
$224.60 |
- |
| Resubmitted Plot Plan – previously rejected | $133.70 | - |
$133.70 |
- |
| Design revision of Subdivision, including part lot lift | $1,116.30 | - |
$1,116.30 |
- |
Note:
(*) Legal Fees plus additional costs including but not limited to disbursement and registration costs will be invoiced at the time documentation is executed.
(2) Invoiced separately
Contact
Building Services
1211 John Counter Boulevard
Kingston, ON K7K 6C7
buildingpermits
@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-4291 ext. 3280
Contact
Planning Services
1211 John Counter Blvd.
Kingston, ON K7L 4X7
planning@cityofkingston.ca
Phone: 613-546-4291 ext. 3180
The City of Kingston acknowledges that we are on the traditional homeland of the Anishinabek, Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat, and thanks these nations for their care and stewardship over this shared land.
Today, the City is committed to working with Indigenous peoples and all residents to pursue a united path of reconciliation.
Learn more about the City's reconciliation initiatives.
