Development Charge Waiver Pilot Program

Type
Development
Topic(s)
Property

On June 10, 2026, City Council extended the Development Charge (DC) Waiver Pilot Program and opened a second intake due to the high level of interest in the program. This motion introduced new deadlines for the second intake, as well as new eligibility criteria for ownership projects.

The DC Waiver Pilot Program was available to new building permit applications for residential developments five storeys and above with a signed agreement to provide at least 20% affordable housing if a purpose-built rental, and 60% affordable housing if an ownership/condominium project. The deadline to submit eligible permit applications was July 15, 2026, with building activity to commence before October 31, 2026. Active developments that are 100% rental residential development of five storeys or more, with a building permit issued or submitted to the City of Barrie prior to August 14, 2025, were also eligible. 

Program Background

At the August 13, 2025 City Council meeting, Council passed motion 25-G-197 to adopt the DC Waiver Pilot Program. Further updates to the pilot program were made through Mayoral Direction MDIR-009-25.   

Following receipt of an October 2025 staff report providing updates on the high level of interest in the program, Council passed motion 25-G-220 at the October 1, 2025 City Council meeting, to increase the DC Waiver upset limit for the pilot program to $80M, to be administered on a first come, first serve basis until the limit is reached, provided the applicants meet all eligibility requirements.

A  January 2026 memo to Council provided information on the 12 eligible building permit applications received during the first intake.

A total of 8 of those projects secured waived development charges through the initial DC Waiver Pilot Program as reported in a June 3, 2026 staff report. Collectively, these projects are delivering 1,117 new housing units, including 224 affordable housing units, with development charges relief totaling $35,592,653. The remaining projects were eligible to seek development charge relief through the second intake. 

Requirements

The requirements listed below remain available for reference. 

Building Permit Application Requirements

Deadline

A complete building permit application for the residential building must have been received on or before July 15, 2026, by the Building Services department. An accepted building permit application: 

  • Includes all required documentation, such as:  
    • Architectural, life safety, structural, mechanical and electrical plans, etc.
    • Approved site plans  
    • Any other technical drawings, documents or specifications 
  • Met submission requirements as may be prescribed in the Ontario Building Code, municipal by-laws and/or guidelines
  • Included payment of all applicable fees
Zoning ComplianceIf applicable, any Zoning By-law Amendment application must have been approved and in effect, with any holding (H) provisions lifted before July 15, 2026.
Site Plan ApprovalConditional Site Plan approval must have be granted by the Executive Director of Development Services before July 15, 2026.

Construction Activity Requirements

Building Permit Issuance

By October 31, 2026 you must satisfy one of the following:

  1. Obtain a full building permit for the residential units, by completing all the below to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official:
    • All technical and Ontario Building Code reviews completed.
    • All applicable law requirements met and departmental workflow sign-offs completed.
    • All building permit application fees and all other applicable fees, rates and charges have been paid, or otherwise addressed, to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official.

OR

  1. Obtain a conditional building permit for the footings and foundation for the residential units, by completing all the below to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official:
    • Enter into the required conditional building permit agreements.
    • Post the required securities.
    • All required technical and Ontario Building Code reviews completed.
    • All building permit application fees and all other applicable fees, rates and charges have been paid, or otherwise addressed, to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official.
Building ActivityConstruction must start by no later than October 31, 2026. This will be confirmed by the Building Services department through the first inspection request for footings; the inspection must result in an "in progress" inspection report to qualify.
Inspection RequestsAll inspection requests must be made through APLI by no later than October 31, 2026, and will be carried out on the following business day.

Affordability Requirements

Legal Agreement Requirements

For purpose-built rental projects: 

  • Owner must enter into a  registered agreement with the City of Barrie to provide at least 20% of the housing units as affordable for a term of 25 years. 

For ownership projects: 

  •  A minimum of 60% of the units must be sold at or below the affordable ownership purchase price secured through an agreement with the City. 
  • Each affordable unit will have a registered agreement with the City of Barrie to keep it affordable for a term of 25 years.   
Maximum Rental or Purchase PriceUnits must meet the affordability rates as defined by the Affordable Residential Unit Bulletin prepared by the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs & Housing.
Reporting RequirementsAnnual reports to the City providing occupancy rates or sales records of affordable units by March 1st are required for the duration of the agreement.
Occupancy RequirementsThe affordable units are to be leased/rented/sold to individuals who have resided in the city of Barrie for at least two years before occupying the units. 

Related Links