Impact Fees
Learn about impact fees in Canadian real estate — what they fund, when they apply, and their role in development budgeting.
July 29, 2025
What is Impact Fee?
Impact fees are charges levied by municipalities on new developments to offset the cost of additional public infrastructure and services required by growth.
Why Gentrification Matters in Real Estate
In Canadian real estate development, impact fees help fund schools, parks, roads, and utilities needed for expanding communities.
Key features:
- Collected at the time of permitting or subdivision
- Used for growth-related infrastructure
- Applied to residential, commercial, or industrial projects
Understanding impact fees helps developers budget and plan for project feasibility.
Example of Gentrification in Action
The developer accounted for impact fees related to new park construction when preparing the project budget.
Key Takeaways
- Funds growth-related infrastructure
- Charged on new developments
- Supports schools, parks, utilities, and roads
- Adds to project development costs
- Ensures community services keep pace with growth
Related Terms
- Development Charges
- Building Permit
- Urban Planning
- Official Plan
- Zoning


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)
