Development charges in Guelph are set to rise by nearly 12 per cent next week.
While adding to the cost of construction projects, the fees are designed to help the municipality recoup growth-related costs.
“This year’s unusually high increase is due to negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the construction industry, including labour shortages, supply chain disruptions and construction materials costs,” explains a city news release. “We estimate what new services Guelph needs to accommodate its growing population and we use this information to update the development charge bylaw and development charge rates at least every five years.”
On Wednesday, the flat fee for a detached and semi-detached house will increase to $45,660 per unit from the current $41,210 per unit. The industrial, commercial and institutional rate will reach $158.73 per square metre from $142.24 per square metre.
