Development charges (DCs) are fees charged against new development such as the construction of new buildings, additions, alternations, or expansions of existing buildings, to finance growth-related capital projects.

DCs help cover the cost of growth and construction of new infrastructure needed for growth in the municipality. They assist in funding services and amenities such as parks, trails, community centres, roads, libraries, emergency services, and water and wastewater services.

Who pays DCs?

You may be required to pay DCs for land development or redevelopment projects if you are:

  • Constructing a new building (residential and non-residential).
  • Making an addition or alteration to an existing building that increases the number of residential units or the non-residential gross floor area.
  • Redeveloping a property or making interior alterations that result in a change of use to all or part of a building.

Unless otherwise provided by agreement, development charges are calculated and payable in full, on the date of issuance of a building permit.

The Town of East Gwillimbury also collects DCs on behalf of York Region and the York Region Catholic and Public District School Boards per the Development Charges Act. The rates are subject to indexing per the various by-laws. Each jurisdiction is responsible for setting its rates, indexing, and determining any exemptions. If you have inquiries related to calculations or exemptions, please contact the organization directly.

Current Charges

2024 Development Charges By-laws Update

The Town is in the process of updating its Development Charges By-laws under the Development Charges Act, 1997. The current by-laws will expire on May 22, 2024.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at 2 p.m. in Council Chambers (19000 Leslie Street, Sharon), to introduce and collect public feedback on its proposed Town-wide and area-specific development charges by-laws and the associated background studies.  To share feedback, you can attend the meeting in person in the Council Chambers or virtually via the Town’s YouTube Channel. If you wish to speak during the meeting, you must register no later than April 8, 2024, at 4:30 p.m., by emailing the Clerk's Office. To provide written comments please email the Clerk’s department.

2024 DRAFT Town-wide Development Charge Study and By-law

2024 DRAFT Area Specific Development Charge Study and By-law

Previous Studies and By-laws

For inquiries regarding development charges, each jurisdiction should be contacted with respect to their development charge by-laws. The contact persons are listed below:

Contact information

Town of East Gwillimbury        

Chelsea Huber 
(905) 478-4283 ext. 1295         

York Region

Paul Simas
1-(877)-464-9675 ext. 71633

School Boards

Tom Pechkovsky 
(416) 221-5051 ext. 2374