WhyWhyDufferin · Answers
What are development charges in Orangeville?
Short answer
Development charges are one-time fees paid to the municipality (and the County and school board) when you get a building permit for new floor area or new homes. In Orangeville the total is $18.07 per sq ft of commercial or industrial floor area and $57,786.86 per single-detached home (local + County + education), checked 2026-10-21. Leasing existing space does not trigger them.
| Charge | Local (Town) | County | Education | Total | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single-detached home | $50,862.09 | $3,692.77 | $3,232.00 | $57,786.86 | Town of Orangeville Development Charges page (By-law 2024-060, indexed) |
| Commercial, per sq ft | $16.93 | $1.14 | $0.00 | $18.07 | County of Dufferin DC pamphlet, 2026 county-wide charges (effective Jan 1, 2026; By-law 2022-28) |
| Industrial, per sq ft | $16.93 | $1.14 | $0.00 | $18.07 | Upper Grand DSB EDC by-law 2024, Dufferin rate Apr 23, 2026 to Apr 22, 2027 (no non-residential EDC) |
Common follow-up questions
Do I pay development charges if I lease a space?
Generally no. They are paid at building permit for new or added floor area, not for leasing existing space.
Are industrial expansions exempt?
Ontario's Development Charges Act exempts enlarging an existing industrial building by up to 50% of its existing gross floor area.
Go further
General information only. This is not legal, financial or real-estate advice. Rates and fees change: confirm every figure with the municipality and agency named before you rely on it, and speak to an accountant or lawyer before you sign a lease, buy property or commit money. Free, confidential help: the Orangeville and Area Small Business Enterprise Centre (serves Dufferin County; 519-941-0440 ext. 7310, [email protected]).