Development Charges Background Study and Community Benefits Charges Strategy

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton passed By-law 040-2026, to amend
Development Charges By-law No. 045-2021, on the 11th day of May, 2026 under subsection 19(1.1) of the
Development Charges Act, 1997, S.O., 1997 c. 27, as amended;

AND TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton passed Development Charges
By-law No. 041-2026 on the 11th day of May, 2026 under section 2(1) of the Development Charges Act, 1997,
S.O., 1997 c. 27, as amended;

AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal under Section 14
of the Act, in respect of the development charges by-law(s), by filing with the Clerk of the Town of Milton, 150
Mary Street, Milton Ontario, L9T 6Z5, on or before the 22nd day of June, 2026, a notice of appeal setting out
the objection to the by-law(s) and the reasons supporting the objection.

The schedule of development charges imposed by the By-laws is as follows:

Schedule B B-law 040-2026

Schedule B By-law 041-2026

A key map has been provided to identify the locations in which the area specific stormwater management
charges apply. Please note that the municipal wide charges are applicable to all lands located within the
geographic limits of the Town of Milton.

Interested parties are encouraged to view the full development charge by-law(s) on the Town of Milton website. A copy of the complete by-laws can alternatively be made available for examination at the Town
of Milton offices, 150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5. Please contact the Town Clerk or call 905-878-7252 ext. 2109 in advance to arrange for a time to view the by-laws.

DATED at the municipality of the Corporation of the Town of Milton, 150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5,
this 15th day of May, 2026.

Meaghen Reid
Town Clerk

TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Milton passed Community Benefits Charge
By-law No. 042-2026 on the 11th day of May, 2026 under section 37(2) of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13,
as amended;

AND TAKE NOTICE that any person or organization may appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal under subsection
37(17) of the Act, in respect of the community benefits charge by-law, by filing with the Clerk of the Town of
Milton, 150 Mary Street, Milton Ontario, L9T 6Z5, on or before the 22nd day of June, 2026, a notice of appeal
setting out the objection to the by-law and the reasons supporting the objection.

The community benefits charge payable pursuant to this By-law shall be four (4) percent of the value of the land
being development as of the valuation date.

The Community Benefits Charge By-law applies to all applicable lands located within the geographic limits of the
Town of Milton except for Land Subject to Parkland Agreements.

Interested parties are encouraged to view the full community benefits charge by-law on the Town of Milton
website, www.milton.ca. A copy of the complete by-law can alternatively be made available for examination at
the Town of Milton offices, 150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5. Please contact Town Clerk or
call 905-878-7252 ext. 2109 in advance to arrange for a time to view the by-laws.

DATED at the municipality of the Corporation of the Town of Milton, 150 Mary Street, Milton, Ontario L9T 6Z5,
this 15th day of May, 2026.

Meaghen Reid
Town Clerk

Please note that staff will bring two reports to the Council meeting of May 11, 2026, related to the Development Charges By-law and Community Benefits Charge By-law.

The reports are now posted online:

• Item 8.1 ES-026-26_2026 Development Charge By-law Update
• Item 8.2 ES-027-26_Community Benefits Charge By-law and High Density Incentive Program

While the reports and appendices contain more details, the executive summary of the Development Charge By-law Update explains that:

• The Town has undertaken a thorough consultation process since late 2025, with resulting adjustments to the DC rates, by-laws, and related policies reflected in the recommendations of this report.
• During the planning horizon presented in the DC Background Study, the community will grow to a gross population of 400,400 people and 112,689 employees, which will require $2.25 billion in DC eligible capital costs.
• A uniform non-residential DC rate structure is recommended, which will result in a reduction from the existing local DC rates for retail (47% reduction) and non-retail (7% reduction).
• The Town’s uniform rate will be 63% below the average for the local comparator group for commercial uses, and 57% below the average for industrial.
• An increase to the residential DC rate is recommended, which equates to an additional $4,373 per single detached equivalent (SDE); a 14% increase.
• To arrive at this rate, $312 million in capital costs were reduced or deferred as part of the optional service level adjustments presented in Addendum 1, resulting in a reduction to the original calculated charge of $4,962 per SDE.
• The Town’s residential rate remains second lowest amongst local comparator group, and 38% below the average of those comparators.

In addition, the Community Benefits Charge By-law report’s executive summary states:

• The recommended CBC by-law would introduce for the Town a revenue tool that will support the investment in service for high-density residential development.
• A CBC would be imposed at a rate of 4% of the value of land being developed for

residential developments that are five (5) storeys or greater, and have ten (10) units or more.

• The CBC will not apply where an existing parkland dedication agreement exists between the Town and landowner(s), and as such many of the Town’s secondary plan areas would be exempt from a CBC.
• The CBC rate of 4% is consistent with a number of comparator municipalities, including all of the other local municipalities within Halton Region.
• Proceeds from the CBC will be utilized for parkland acquisition and the cost of CBC strategies. Even with the collection of CBC revenues, a significant funding deficit will remain for high-density development relative to the Town’s parkland standard and target.
• A financial incentive program is also recommended, in order to allow for a transition period prior to the first collection of a CBC payment from a high-density applicant.

Please note that a third addendum has been issued to the Development Charges Background Study released December 19, 2025.

Based on feedback received through ongoing stakeholder engagement and further internal review, Addendum #3 updates the Background Study to make corrections to the transit development charge to reflect updated transit boarding information for 2025 and revised assumptions for boardings per service hour.

The addendum outlines the tables and figures in the Background Study affected by these changes and reflects the incorporation of technical and service level updates previously identified in Addendums #1 and #2, released on March 13, 2026 and April 1, 2026 respectively.

Please note that a second addendum has been issued to the Development Charges Background Study released December 19, 2025.

Based on feedback received through ongoing stakeholder engagement and further internal review, Addendum #2 updates the Background Study to include a new road construction project for the reconstruction and urbanization of 8th Line from Derry Road to Britannia Road, including associated land requirements. Revisions have also been made to the wording of the local service policy related to roads.

The addendum outlines the tables and figures in the Background Study affected by these changes and reflects the incorporation of technical and service level updates previously identified in Addendum #1, released on March 13, 2026.

The Town will continue to receive feedback as part of the Development Charge and Community Benefit Charge By-law processes.

Feedback received by April 15, 2026, will be incorporated into the staff report that will be presented to Town Council for consideration.

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.