Community Benefit Charges Strategy and By-Law

The City of Niagara Falls is preparing a Community Benefit Charges (CBC) Strategy and By-Law and we want to hear from you! Opportunities to provide feedback on new source of funding for growth-related capital expenditures are listed below.

What are Community Benefit Charges?

Community benefit charges are a new source of funding for growth-related capital expenditures. Specifically, it helps pay for City capital investment in facilities and services like parking, culture, active transportation and more. These charges are enacted under the Planning Act, and are to be levied against higher density development with 5 or more stories and 10 or more residential units.

The City is proposing to fund the following growth related capital items through the proposed CBC strategy:

• CBC By-Law Reviews & Strategy Updates
• Parking
• Urban Amenities
• Public Art, Heritage and Culture
• Active Transportation

Community benefit charges replace the previous “Density Bonusing” regime under Section 37 of the Planning Act. To pass a CBC By-Law a municipality must have a CBC Strategy which identifies what will be funded by the charges and meets the requirements of the regulation.

CBCs on a development cannot exceed 4% of land value, which gives the development community certainty to estimate the maximum amount that can be levied. The City of Niagara Falls’ CBC strategy is proposing a charge of 4% of the land value.

The following developments are exempt from CBCs:

• Long-term care homes and retirement homes
• Universities, colleges and Indigenous Institutes
• Memorial homes, clubhouses or athletic grounds of the Royal Canadian Legion
• Hospices
• Non-profit housing

A CBC By-Law and strategy must be passed prior to the September 18, 2022. The CBC Strategy will be brought forward to a public meeting on July 12, 2022, and staff will bring forward the CBC By-Law for consideration to Council in August 2022.

Opportunities to Provide Feedback

Have your say! Your input on the proposed community benefit charges is welcome and encouraged. Your options to participate/inquire include:

• Online Form:
  • This engagement is now closed.
• Contact the Project Team:
  • Email the project team at finance@niagarafalls.ca
  • Write your comments to the Manager of Capital Accounting (James Dowling). Address mail to City Hall, 4310 Queen Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario, L2E 6X5
• Participate in the Public Meeting:
  • A public meeting of Council was held on July 12, 2022 at 2:30p.m. You can view the City Council Meeting agenda here.

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