Helping Pay for Growth.

Whitby is growing. New homes and buildings mean the Town needs more roads, parks, facilities, and other services. A Community Benefits Charge (CBC) helps the Town pay for some of these costs.

Ontario law allows the Town to collect a CBC from some larger residential developments. The money helps pay for projects and services needed as the community grows.

What is a Community Benefits Charge?

A Community Benefits Charge, or CBC, is a fee the Town can collect from certain new developments. Section 37 of the Planning Act allows the Town to use this money for projects needed because of growth. CBCs work together with Development Charges and parkland funding.

Ontario law sets rules for CBCs:

·         CBC money can only be used for capital projects needed because of growth.

·         Ontario sets the highest CBC rate a municipality can charge.

·         CBCs generally apply to developments with five or more storeys and ten or more residential units.

·         The Town must have a CBC Strategy before it can pass a CBC by-law.

·         The Town cannot collect money twice for the same project cost.

How Are CBCs Different from Development Charges?

Community Benefits Charges (CBCs) and Development Charges (DCs) both help pay for the needs that come with growth, but they pay for different things. DCs help pay for services such as roads, fire services, and parks. CBCs can help pay for other growth-related projects that are not fully paid for through DCs or parkland funding. CBCs apply only to certain larger residential developments. Ontario law also makes sure the Town does not collect money twice for the same project cost.

Why Does Whitby Have a CBC?

As Whitby grows, the Town needs more infrastructure and community facilities for people who live, work, and visit here.

Whitby's CBC Strategy lists projects that CBC money may help pay for. It also explains how the Town will use CBCs fairly and follow Ontario law. Council approved the Strategy and the CBC By-law in 2026 after public consultation and review.

Who Pays the CBC?

Developers of certain larger residential projects pay the CBC. In general, a development must have five or more storeys and ten or more residential units for a CBC to apply. Lower-density developments do not pay the CBC.

What Can CBC Money Pay For?

The Town's CBC Strategy lists the types of projects that CBC money may help pay for, including:

·         Roads, bike lanes, sidewalks, and other ways to travel

·         Buildings and equipment for arts, culture, and tourism

·         Projects that help address climate change

·         Public parking

·         Town contributions to public hospitals

·         Other eligible projects needed because of growth and listed in the Strategy

The Town must use CBC money according to the Planning Act and Ontario's rules.

How Much is the CBC?

The Town's CBC By-law explains the CBC rate and how the Town collects the charge. These rules follow the Planning Act and Ontario Regulation 509/20.

The current CBC rate is 4% of the appraised value of the land. This means that for every $100 of land value, the CBC is $4. The land value is set as of the day before the first building permit is issued.

The CBC By-law also explains when the charge must be paid. It also lists cases where a charge may not apply, when a credit may be given, and when the Town may accept land, services, or facilities instead of money.

Where Does the CBC Money Go?

All CBC money goes into a special Community Benefits Charge Reserve Fund.

The Town can only use this money for eligible projects. The Planning Act, the CBC By-law, and the Town's CBC Reserve Fund Policy set the rules. The Town must also report each year on how the money is used.

Laws and Town Rules

These Ontario laws and Town documents set the rules for Whitby's CBC program:

·         Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P.13, including Section 37, which sets rules for Community Benefits Charges

·         Ontario Regulation 509/20 (Community Benefits Charges and Parkland)

·         Town of Whitby Community Benefits Charge By-law #8288-26

·         Town of Whitby Community Benefits Charge Strategy

Learn More

Learn more about Whitby's CBC program in these documents:

Community Benefits Charge By-law

The Community Benefits Charge By-law #8288-26 explains who pays the CBC, the rate, exemptions, and how the Town collects it.

Community Benefits Charge Strategy

The Community Benefits Charge Strategy explains how much growth is expected, which projects may receive CBC money, how much funding is needed, and how the CBC program was developed.

Report to Council

Staff Report FS 01-26, Community Benefits Charge Implementation explains why Town staff recommended a CBC, how it would start, and why the CBC Reserve Fund was created.

Community Benefits Charge Reserve Fund Policy

The Community Benefits Charge Reserve Fund Policy explains how the Town manages and uses CBC money.

Contact Us

Have questions about Community Benefits Charges? Contact:

Financial Services Department
Town of Whitby
Contact developmentcharges@whitby.ca