Development Charges (DCs)
Learn about development charges in Canadian real estate — what they fund, who pays, and why they’re key in urban growth.

July 27, 2025
What are Development Charges?
Development charges (DCs) are fees imposed by municipalities on new developments to help fund infrastructure and services required due to growth.
Why Development Charges Matter in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate development, DCs ensure that growth-related costs are shared by new developments rather than existing taxpayers.
DCs fund:
- Roads and transit
- Water and sewer systems
- Parks and recreation facilities
- Libraries and emergency services
Understanding DCs helps developers budget accurately and assess project feasibility.
Example of Development Charges in Action
The developer factored in development charges when budgeting for the new 100-unit condo project.
Key Takeaways
- Fees levied on new development
- Fund infrastructure and community services
- Applied at municipal level
- Significant cost in project budgeting
- Supports growth management
Related Terms
- Building Permit
- Urban Planning
- Land Use Bylaws
- Official Plan
- Zoning

7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
The phasing and overview of the proposal for 7211 Greenford Avenue. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
Renderings of the proposal for 7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)
Renderings of the low-rise building planned for 7211 Greenford Avenue in Burnaby. (Arcadis, OpenForm Properties)







Yardi
Yardi
Canada residential unit sales by month, actual, 2019 and 2024-2026. Data through June 2026. Source:
Canada residential sales-to-new-listings ratio, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source:
Canada residential months of inventory, actual, January 2025 to June 2026. Source: Source:
Year-over-year change in residential average sale price for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2022 to June 2026. Average price is shown here as a regional mix measure, not a substitute for HPI or local comparable sales. Source:
Year-over-year change in residential unit sales for Canada, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta, January 2024 to June 2026. Source: 
15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)
Renderings of the tower proposed for 15284-15296 Fleetwood Drive in Surrey. (Flat Architecture, 1098261 BC Ltd.)





Goldberg Group 
10-storey apartment building currently occupying 525 Eglinton Avenue East/WND Associates
Rendering of 525 Eglinton Avenue East/Wallman Architects
The Mayfair West site and its surrounding context. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)
Renderings of Mayfair West. (Grosvenor, Arcadis, Hariri Pontarini Architects)