HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-069If this information is required in an alternate format, please contact the Accessibility
Co-ordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131.
The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington
By-law 2025-069
Being a By-Law to Impose Community Benefits Charges
WHEREAS authority is given to Council under section 37 of the Planning Act, R.S.O.
1990, c. P.13, as amended (the “Planning Act”), to adopt a community benefits charge
by-law; and
WHEREAS The Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington (“Municipality of
Clarington”) has prepared a community benefits strategy pursuant to subsection 37(9)
of the Planning Act; and
WHEREAS the Municipality of Clarington has consulted with appropriate persons and
public bodies in the preparation of this by-law in accordance with subsection 37(10) of
the Planning Act;
NOW THEREFORE the Council of the Municipality of Clarington enacts:
DEFINITIONS
As used in this by-law the following terms shall have the meaning indicated:
“Appraisal” means an appraisal of land value prepared in accordance with the
Canadian Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal
Institute of Canada;
"Basement" means the portion of a building which is partially underground between the
first floor and any floor below the level of the first floor.
"Building Code Act" means the Building Code Act, 1992, S.O. 1992, c.23, as
amended.
"Building Permit" means a building permit issued by the Chief Building Official under
the authority of the Building Code Act.
"Building Permit Application" means an application for issuance of a building permit
submitted to and deemed complete by the Chief Building Official, which complies with
all applicable requirements of the Building Code Act and the Ontario Building Code,
including all applicable laws as defined therein, and includes payment of all applicable
fees;
"Chief Building Official" means the chief building official for the Municipality,
appointed pursuant to section 3 of the Building Code Act, or their designate.
"Community Benefit Strategy" means the community benefit strategy prepared
pursuant to subsection 37(9) of the Planning Act.
"Condominium Act" means the Condominium Act, 1998, S.O. 1998, c.19 as
amended.
"Development or Redevelopment" means any activity or proposed activity in respect
of any land, Building or structure, whether existing or proposed, that requires:
a. the passing of a zoning by-law or of an amendment to a zoning by-law;
b. the approval of a minor variance;
c. conveyance of land to which a part lot control exemption by-law applies;
d. the approval of a plan of subdivision;
e. a consent to sever;
f. the approval of a description of a plan of condominium pursuant to the
Condominium Act; or
g. the issuing of a permit under the Building Code Act, in relation to a
building or structure;
“Dwelling Unit” means a suite of habitable rooms which:
a. is located in a building;
b. is used or intended to be used in common by one or more persons as a
single, independent and separate housekeeping establishment;
c. contains food preparation and sanitary facilities provided for the exclusive
common use of the occupants thereof; and
d. has a private entrance directly from outside the building or from a common
hallway or stairway inside the building;
“Grade” means the average elevation of the finished surface of the ground along the
front elevation of a building or structure, exclusive of any artificial embankment abutting
such building or structure.
"Gross Floor Area" means the aggregate of the floor areas of all storeys of a building
or structure, other than an attic or a cellar, excluding the floor area of any private
garage.
"In-kind contribution" means facilities, services or matters identified in a Community
Benefits Strategy and required because of development or redevelopment provided by
an owner of land, in lieu of payment of the community benefits charge otherwise
applicable, in whole or in part.
“Municipality” means the Corporation of the Municipality of Clarington.
"Phase" means a part or parts of a larger development / redevelopment for which
separate building permit application(s) will be submitted.
"Planning Act" means the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13 as amended from time to
time or any successor thereof.
"Residential Unit" means the same as a dwelling unit.
"Storey" means a level of a building, other than a basement, located between any floor
and the floor, ceiling or roof immediately above it, excluding enclosed rooftop
mechanical equipment.
"Value of the Land" means for the purposes of determining the Community Benefits
Charge payable, the appraised value of the land the day before the building permit is
issued in respect of the Development or Redevelopment, in an appraisal prepared by or
for the Municipality and in accordance with generally accepted appraisal principles and
standards.
APPLICATION OF BY-LAW
1. Subject to Section 2 herein, this by-law applies to all lands within the Municipality
of Clarington.
2. This by-law shall not apply to land or buildings within the Municipality of
Clarington that are owned or used for the purposes of:
a. the Municipality of any local board thereof;
b. a Board of Education
APPLICATION OF BY-LAW
3. A Community Benefits Charge shall be payable against land to pay for the capital
costs of facilities, services, and matters required for Development or
Redevelopment of all lands in the geographic area of the Municipality of
Clarington unless Section 2 of the By-law applies.
4. The Community Benefits Charge shall be imposed on all Development or
Redevelopment of a building or structure with five or more storeys and that adds
ten or more Residential Units.
5. The following facilities have been identified as being required, in whole or in part,
to meet the increased need for service arising from the CBC-eligible
Development or Redevelopment:
a. Parking Services
b. CBC Administration
c. Climate Change Initiatives
d. Cemeteries
e. Public Art, Heritage, Culture and Events
f. Affordable Housing
g. Parks & Recreation Infrastructure
h. Legislative Services
AMOUNT OF CHARGE
6. The amount of the Community Benefits Charge payable is 4% of the value of the
land that is the subject of the Development or Redevelopment on the day before
the first building permit is issued in respect of the development or redevelopment,
multiplied by the ratio of “A” to “B” where,
a. “A” is the gross floor area of any part of a building or structure, which part
is proposed to be erected or located as part of the Development or
Redevelopment, and
b. “B” is the gross floor area of all buildings and structures that will be on the
land after the Development or Redevelopment.
7. The value of the gross floor area for the types of Development or Redevelopment
set out in section 1 of Ontario Regulation 509/20 to the Act shall be deducted
from the Community Benefits Charge otherwise payable.
8. In determining the amount of the Community Benefits Charge for a particular
Development or Redevelopment the Municipality shall require the owner of the
land in question to provide an appraisal of the Value of the Land to the
Municipality. The appraisal shall be prepared by an appraiser accredited by the
Appraisal Institute of Canada and at no expense to the Municipality.
TIMING OF CALCULATION AND PAYMENT
9. The Community Benefits Charge is payable prior to the issuance of the first
building permit issued for the Development or Redevelopment.
10. If a Development or Redevelopment is to be constructed in phases, each phase
of the development is deemed to be a separate Development or Redevelopment
for the purposes of this by-law and the amount of the Community Benefits
Charge for each phase is 4% of the Value of the Land of that phase on the day
before the first building permit for the Development or Redevelopment of that
phase is issued as required in accordance with section 37(32) of the Planning
Act.
STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS
11. Statutory exemptions shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of
the Act and associated Regulations.
12. The onus is on the owner or applicant to produce evidence to the satisfaction of
the Municipality establishing that the owner or applicant is entitled to an
exemption under the provisions of the Act or this by-law.
IN-KIND CONTRIBUTIONS
13. Council may allow an owner of land to provide an In-Kind Contribution in-lieu of
payment of a portion or all of the Community Benefits Charge otherwise payable.
The Council shall advise the owner of the value that will be attributed to any In-
Kind Contribution prior to the owner providing such facilities, services and other
matters.
14. Where the Municipality intends to allow the owner to provide an In-Kind
Contribution, the Municipality may require the owner to enter into an agreement
with the municipality that addresses the provision of the facilities, services or
matters.
15. In the event that arrangements are made for the provision of the In-Kind
Contribution that are satisfactory to Council, the Community Benefits Charge
otherwise payable for the Development or Redevelopment shall be reduced by
the value that the Municipality has attributed to the In-Kind Contribution.
16. Notwithstanding section 13, 14 and 15, any Development or Redevelopment or
use that is excluded or exempted by the Act or in this by-law shall not be
considered an In-Kind Contribution for the purposes of subsection 37(8) of the
Planning Act.
PAYMENT UNDER PROTEST AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION
17. Where an owner of land is of the view that the amount of the Community Benefits
Charge exceeds 4% of the land value, the owner shall pay the charge under
protest and within thirty (30) days provide the Municipality with an Appraisal of
the Value of the Land as of that phase on the day before the first building permit
for the Development or Redevelopment.
18. If an owner of land pays under protest but does not provide an Appraisal within
thirty (30) days, the payment is deemed not to have been made under protest.
19. If the Municipality does not dispute the owner’s Appraisal, the Municipality shall
immediately refund to the owner the difference between the amount paid and 4%
of the land value determined by the owner’s Appraisal.
20. If the Municipality disputes the value of land identified in the owner’s Appraisal,
then the Municipality shall provide the owner with an Appraisal of that phase on