Development Charges Background Study and Community Benefits Charges Strategy

Please note that an Addendum has been issued to the December 19, 2025, Development Charges Background Study.

In the time since the Background Study was issued, the Town has continued to consult with stakeholders. This has included a stakeholder engagement session in January, 2026, a public meeting in February in accordance with the Development Charges Act, as well receiving and responding to a variety of questions submitted regarding the Town’s development charge review process.

Based on the feedback received and further review, we have issued an Addendum to update the Background Study, with respect to:

• Technical Changes – required revisions to assumptions and calculations that impact historic service standards, capital cost and allocations, and development charge calculations.
• Service Level Changes – optional revisions to the proposed capital needs identified for Council consideration.
  
  

The Addendum outlines the tables and figures in the Background Study that are affected by the changes identified. The impact of the Technical Changes, as well as the Service Level Changes (if adopted by Town Council), would reduce the potential development charge rates identified in the Background Study.

The Town will continue to receive feedback as part of the Development Charge and Community Benefit Charge By-law processes. Feedback received by April 8, 2026, will be incorporated into the staff report that will go to Town Council for consideration.

View the report.

Please note that staff will bring the report ES-013-26 to the Council meeting on March 16, 2026. It relates to the timing of this project.

• Development Charge and Community Benefit Charge By-laws – Revision to Timing

The report's Executive Summary explains:

• The resolutions approved by Council during the February 9, 2026 Public Meeting directed that the final proposed DC and CBC by-laws be presented at the April 13, 2026 Council meeting.
• Subsequent to the Public Meeting, the Town continued to engage with stakeholders to respond to questions and hear feedback on the background studies and proposed by-laws. An addendum to the DC background study is expected to be issued in March on the basis of the feedback collected through the process.
• A deferral from the April 13, 2026 Council meeting to the May 11, 2026 Council meeting will provide an opportunity for any final comments or submissions to consider the information that will be presented via the addendum.
• Clarity is also provided within this report regarding Council’s ability to extend the existing DC by-law, should it choose, beyond its existing expiry date in June. Any such consideration, if necessary, can occur when the final proposed DC by-law is presented, which is currently anticipated on May 11, 2026.

The Town of Milton is seeking public feedback on two draft strategies to help fund infrastructure and services needed to support growth.

Milton is updating its Development Charges (DC) Background Study and by-law, and preparing a Community Benefits Charges (CBC) Strategy, which may result in a new by-law and generate revenue from higher-density developments.

Draft strategies open for input

Residents, businesses, and the development community are encouraged to provide feedback:

• Review the draft DC background study and CBC strategy on Let’s Talk Milton.
• Attend the engagement session or statutory public meeting (details below).
• Add a comment in the Feedback Forum.
• Subscribe to project updates.

• Contact the Development Finance team[TH1] with questions.

At the first engagement session on Dec. 1, 2025, staff presented the project timeline, legal considerations, and growth forecasts. At the second engagement session on Jan. 27, 2026, the team will present the preliminary findings of both strategies.

Next steps include:

• Feb. 9, 2026 - Statutory public meeting
• Mar. 6, 2026 – Deadline for public feedback
• Apr. 13, 2026 – Staff report to Milton Town Council seeking by-law approval

Attend engagement session #2

• Date: Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026
• Time: 9 a.m.
• Location: Town Hall – Milton Room
• Attend online: Register to join via Microsoft Teams

Background

Development charges help municipalities recover the costs of expanding infrastructure and services to support new developments. DCs fund capital projects such as arterial roads, recreation facilities, parks, libraries, and services such as fire and transit.

Community benefits charges help municipalities recover capital costs related to higher-density development.

In accordance with the provision of the Development Charges Act, 1997, this is to advise that a statutory public meeting has been scheduled by the Town of Milton’s Executive Services Department to present and obtain public input on the Town’s proposed Development Charges By-law and underlying Background Study. Additionally, the Town will be seeking feedback on the Town’s proposed Community Benefits Charges By-law and Strategy.

Meeting details

Members of the public are invited to provide input at the statutory public meeting.

Date: Monday, Feb. 9. 2026
Time: 7 p.m.
Place: Council Chambers, 150 Mary St., Milton

No decision will be made by Milton Council at this meeting.

A copy of the Development Charges Background Study and Community Benefits Charges Strategy is available on the Town’s Let’s Talk Milton project page. The draft Development Charges By-laws and Community Benefits Charges By-laws will be available on the same website no later than Jan. 26, 2026.

What are development charges?

Development Charges (DCs), paid by developers, are a way for a municipality to recover the costs to expand its services to new developments. DCs help support investment in new or expanded arterial roads, recreation facilities, parks, libraries, and services such as fire and transit.

These charges apply to all lands in the Town of Milton and may be required for:

1. Construction of a new building or structure
2. Addition or alteration to an existing building that increases the number of residential units or increases the non-residential total floor area
3. Redevelopment of a property or making interior alterations that result in a change of use of all or part of a building or structure, including interior completions for tenants.

What are community benefits charges?

Community Benefits Charges (CBCs) are a way for municipalities to recover the capital costs of expanding services to higher density developments.

CBCs can only be imposed on higher density developments of at least five storeys and 10 residential units. The maximum allowable charge is four per cent of the market value of the land, valued the day before the building permit is issued.

Planning Act changes in 2020 provided the authority to implement CBCs; these charges can be imposed by completing a strategy and passing a by-law.

View the report to Council on or after Feb. 2, 2026 at www.milton.ca/CouncilAgenda.

Get involved

The community is invited to attend and participate in the statutory public meeting. This meeting will be held as a hybrid meeting with members of the public having the opportunity to participate in-person at Town Hall or electronically. Members of the public are also encouraged to view the meeting by watching the live stream. Should you wish to delegate to a Council meeting, please complete the online delegation form by noon on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.

If you wish to be notified of the adoption of the Development Charges By-law and/or the Community Benefits Charges By-law, you must make a written request to the Town Clerk, 150 Mary St., Milton, ON L9T 6Z5 or by email.

The public and local community members are encouraged to submit comments through the Feedback Forum on the Let’s Talk Milton project page.

The Town of Milton is dedicated to meeting the needs of our customers. To obtain documents in an alternative format such as braille, large print, electronic or plain language, contact the Town Clerk.

Please be advised that information collected will be used in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Contact

Any questions or concerns relating to these studies, contact Development Finance.

We want your feedback on two draft strategies for Milton’s growth-related funding.

Milton is updating its Development Charges Background Study and by-law to reflect changes since 2021. We are also preparing a Community Benefits Charges Strategy, which could lead to a new by-law to help fund town infrastructure required for higher-density developments.

Background

Development charges (DCs) help municipalities recover the costs of expanding services for new developments. These charges support roads, parks, libraries, recreation facilities, and services such as fire and transit.

Community benefits charges (CBCs) help municipalities recover capital costs related to services supporting higher-density development.

What’s open for input

Residents, businesses, and the development community are encouraged to give input:

• Review the draft DC background study and CBC strategy on Let’s Talk Milton
• Add a comment to the Feedback Forum.
• Attend an engagement session or statutory public meeting.
• Subscribe to project updates about opportunities to engage.

At the first engagement session on Dec. 1, 2025, staff outlined the project’s process, legal considerations, and growth forecasts.

Join the next engagement session

Development charges and community benefits charges engagement session #2

Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 - 9 a.m.
Milton Town Hall, Milton Room
Attend online via Teams: Register now

At this session, staff will present preliminary findings from both strategies.

For questions, please contact the Development Finance team.

The Town of Milton is asking for public input on two funding tools—development charges and community benefits charges—that help pay for growth.

Milton is updating its Development Charges Background Study and by-law to reflect changes since 2021. The Town is also preparing a Community Benefits Charges Strategy. This may lead to a new by-law and generate revenue from higher-density developments.

Public engagement

Residents, businesses, and the development community are encouraged to provide feedback in the following ways:

• Attend an engagement session or the statutory public meeting.
• Add a comment to the Feedback Forum.
• Subscribe to project updates about opportunities to engage.
• Contact the Development Finance team.

First engagement session

Date: Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Location: Town Hall, Milton Room
Attend online: Register for this meeting via Microsoft Teams
Purpose: Town staff and consultants will explain the processes and proposed policies, and welcome feedback from residents, businesses, and the development community.
View recording at https://www.letstalkmilton.ca/50385/widgets/212901/documents/162306

Background

Development charges help municipalities recover the costs of expanding services to support new developments. These charges support investments in new or expanded arterial roads, recreation facilities, parks, libraries, and services such as fire and transit.

Community benefits charges help municipalities recover capital costs related to higher-density development.