Education Development Charges (EDCs)
2024 EDC Information
On April 18, 2024, Trustees passed new EDC By-Laws in both Dufferin and Wellington County. Read more… Joint Notice of Passing 2024
This following information summarizes the EDCs imposed by the Upper Grand District School Board and the Wellington Catholic District School Board. This information is intended only as a guide. Interested parties should review the approved by-laws and consult with the municipality in which the development approval is sought, to determine the applicable charges that may apply to specific development proposals.
Please note that on March 22, 2024 a minor revision was made to the attached Form E (total elementary students for the UGDSB) in response to comments received from Ministry of Education staff. The revision does not impact the calculation of the EDC nor the resulting amount.
EDC Rates
The 2024 EDC by-law imposes a single uniform residential development charge rate against development of all lands with the County of Wellington (including Guelph) and the County of Dufferin.
Ontario Regulation 55/19 permits a rate increase of $300 or 5% of the previous year’s EDC rate in the second year of the by-law and in each subsequent year of the by-law. EDC rates effective April 23, 2024 to April 22, 2029 are shown in the table below and show an annual increased charge of $300 in both Wellington and Dufferin Counties.
There is no non-residential charge on development for the Upper Grand District School Board.
EDC Rate Phase-In
Region | Current 100% Residential Rate | Calculated 100% Residential Rate | Year 1 April 23, 2024 to April 22, 2025 | Year 2 April 23, 2025 to April 22, 2026 | Year 3 April 23, 2026 to April 22, 2027 | Year 4 April 23, 2027 to April 22, 2028 | Year 5 April 23, 2028 to April 22, 2029 |
County of Dufferin | $2,734 | $4,666 | $2,632 | $2,932 | $3,232 | $3,532 | $3,832 |
County of Wellington (incl. City of Guelph) | $2,222 | $8,230 | $2,522 | $2,822 | $3,122 | $3,422 | $3,722 |
In addition to the statutory exemptions required by the Education Act, publicly funded hospitals are the only discretionary exemption set out in the by-laws. In accordance with section 19 of the University of Guelph Act, 1964, S.O. 1964 c. 120, properly vested in the University of Guelph and any lands and premises leased to and occupied by the University are exempt from education development charges under these by-laws so long as the same are actually used and occupied for University or University related purposes, those purposes being set out in section 3 of the University of Guelph Act, 1964, as amended.
Legislative Authority
Division E of Part IX of the Education Act enables a district school board to pass by-laws for the imposition of education development charges against residential and/or non-residential development if residential development in the area of jurisdiction of the board increases education land costs, and the development requires one or more of the actions set out below and described in section 257.54 of the Education Act:
the passing of a zoning by-law or an amendment to a zoning by-law
the approval of a minor variance
a conveyance of land to which a by-law passed under subsection 50(7) of the Planning Act applies
the approval of a plan of subdivision
a consent
the approval of a description under the Condominium Act, 1998
the issuing of a building permit under the Building Code Act, 1992, in relation to a building or structure.
Only one Education Development Charge is leviable for a development under the provisions of the by-law, and is payable at the time of building permit issuance, even if more than one planning approval is required.
Timing of Payment of Education Development Charges
Education development charges are payable to the municipality approving the development, upon the date that a building permit is issued.
Bill 23 and Bill 17 - No Impact to EDCs
When Bill 23 (More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022) and Bill 17 (Protect Ontario by Building Stronger and Faster Act, 2025) both came into effect, they applied several amendments to the Development Charges Act, 1997, the Planning Act and other legislation. These Bills do not affect the legislation that governs Education Development Charges (EDC), nor are we aware of any changes currently being contemplated by the Provincial Government.
Municipalities should continue to collect EDCs upon the issuance of a building permit for residential development and remit such funds to the Board in accordance with the UGDSB’s current EDC By-law.
EDC Charges and Accessory Units
For information about when EDC’s are/are not applicable regarding accessory dwelling units please see information below. Note that this information is provided for guidance only and we recommend referring to the applicable By-Law or seeking legal advice on the applicability of the by-law.
General Comments: | |
|---|---|
As a general rule, an addition to an existing dwelling that will contain an accessory dwelling unit will not be subject to EDCs provided all the following conditions are met, | |
1. addition is attached to the existing dwelling rather than free standing (either horizontal or vertical); | |
2. total size (i.e. in case of 2 ADUs, combined GFA) not greater than existing dwelling and the size restrictions not exceeded (see chart below); | |
3. number of exempt units not exceeded. (see chart below) | |
Number of ADUs Subject to Exemption: (for complete list of exemptions, please refer to EDC Act) | |
Unit Type | Number of ADUs Exempted / Size Restriction |
Detached | Maximum units 2. Total GFA of ADU or ADUs is less than GFA of original dwelling |
Semi-detached, Townhouse & Apartment | Maximum units 1. Total GFA of unit is less than GFA of original dwelling |
NOTE: If building permit is applied for the first ADU, and it meets the above noted criteria, the ADU will be exempt. However, if a second ADU is applied for, and the total GFA of the two units combined is larger than the main dwelling, EDC will be eligible. If Building Permits for both ADUs are applied at the same time, the total GFA of the combined units shall be less than the main dwelling to be eligible for exemption. | |
Scenario Examples (for guidance only): | |
Scenario | Applicability of EDC's |
Adding an ADU within the footprint of a proposed new dwelling (ex. basement, above garage, attached to, etc.) | EDCs are applicable for each ADU. |
Adding an ADU within the footprint of an existing dwelling or existing accessory dwelling unit (basement, attached to, etc.) | EDCs not applicable as long as total Gross Floor Area (GFA) of proposed ADU or ADUs (total GFA if two) is not larger than the GFA of existing dwelling or existing accessory dwelling unit, and number of exempt units not exceeded. |
Adding an ADU that will exceed footprint of existing dwelling unit or existing accessory dwelling unit | EDCs are applicable for each ADU. |
Adding an ADU in a proposed new detached garage | EDCs are applicable for each ADU. |
Adding an ADU in a proposed new attached garage to an existing dwelling | EDCs not applicable as long as total GFA of proposed ADU or ADUs is not larger than the GFA of existing dwelling, and number of exempt ADUs are not exceeded. |
Adding an ADU in an existing attached garage to an existing dwelling | EDCs not applicable as long as total GFA of proposed ADU or ADUs is not larger than the GFA of existing dwelling, and number of exempt units not exceeded. |
Adding an ADU in an existing detached garage | EDCs are applicable for each ADU. |
A secondary modular dwelling for seasonal farm workers | EDCs are applicable as long as modular dwelling has kitchen and washroom facilities included for the exclusive use of the occupant of the modular dwelling. |
Supportive Housing containing multiple units with a common kitchen facility | EDCs are applicable based on number of kitchen facilities. With a single common kitchen facility, this would constitute one dwelling unit and therefore would be subject to one EDC. |
Supportive Housing containing multiple units containing separate washroom and kitchen facilities for exclusive use of the person(s) living in the unit | EDCs are applicable for each ADU. |
Definitions: | |
“ADU” means a room or suite of rooms used, or designed or intended for use by one person or persons living together, in which culinary and sanitary facilities are provided for the exclusive use of such person or persons, and shall include, but is not limited to, a dwelling unit or units in an apartment, group home, mobile home, duplex, triplex, semi-detached dwelling, single detached dwelling, stacked townhouse and townhouse. | |
"Existing" means Occupancy Permit has been provided and the dwelling is habitable. | |
"Exempt" refers to number of units where EDCs are not charged; exceeding that number, EDCs are charged | |
"SF" means Single Family Detached dwelling | |
"SD" means Semi-detached dwelling | |
"TH" means Townhouse attached dwelling | |
"APT" means Apartment dwelling | |