Regional Development Charges (RDC)– Frequently Asked Questions

If I have an over/under dwelling with 2
or 3 units, what rate do I pay?
The Multiple Unit Dwelling rate will be applied for
each unit.
Can the charge be deferred?
If the RDC is in excess of $100,000, there is an
option to transfer 25% to a lienable charge. The
calculation and option will occur during the
building permit issuance process, and the deferred
portion will be transferred as a lien to the property
tax account through HRM. The deferred amount
will remain as a lien on the property by HRM until
it is paid to HRM. The HRM lien can be paid out/
settled at any time. The responsibility for the
removal of the lien rests with the property owner.
Wastewater pipe installation
Urban Core (all areas within HRM with central
water service) - Water
Typical
Existing
Charge
July 14,
2014
April 1,
2015
Single Unit
Dwelling/
Townhouse
$0
$91.44/
unit
$182.88/
unit
Multiple Unit
Dwelling
$0
$61.42/
unit
$122.83/
unit
Industrial/
Commercial/
Institutional
Building
$0
$0.04/
sq. ft.
$0.09/
sq. ft.
Type of
Development
Aerotech (all areas in the Aerotech Business Park
and HIAA with central wastewater)
Type of
Development
ICI (per sq. ft.)
Typical
Existing
Charge
July 14,
2014
April 1,
2015
$0.30/
sq. ft.
$2.68/
sq. ft.
$5.06/
sq. ft.
Was there public consultation related to
the RDC?
There was extensive stakeholder engagement, as
well as a number of targeted studies undertaken in
the development of the RDC. Halifax Water received
and considered feedback from stakeholders prior to
submitting the RDC application to the NSUARB. The
NSUARB hearing got underway December 2, 2013
and concluded December 5, 2013. The NSUARB
hearing is an open, public process.
There will be regular updates to the RDC to
reflect changes in growth projections, costs of
infrastructure, changes to legislation among other
factors. These updates are planned to occur on a
five-year cycle and will involve stakeholders.
Regional Development
Charges (RDC) –
Frequently Asked Questions
Regional infrastructure, such as water and
wastewater treatment facilities, is essential
to the economic, environmental, and future
growth of our region. Having sufficient
funding to maintain and upgrade these
facilities is critical. New development,
including new homes and building
expansions, places additional load and thus
capacity requirements on these systems. The
Regional Development Charge (RDC) provides
a fair and equitable fee structure to cover
the costs associated with adding additional
capacity to the water and wastewater
infrastructure. The RDC benefits new
development by helping to facilitate growth,
while ensuring existing customers do not
subsidize new development.
Where Can I Get More information?
Please visit:
halifax.ca/hrwc/regionaldevelopmentcharge.php
Email [email protected] or call
490-4820.
www.halifaxwater.ca
Does the RDC apply to renovations and
additions?
The RDC is payable if there is a net increase in the
number of units in a residential building and/or if
there is an increase in floor area for a commercial/
industrial/institutional building.
Do I have to pay the RDC even if I am
already a Halifax Water customer?
The RDC applies to new and existing Halifax
Water customers if there is a net increase in the
number of units in a residential building and/or if
there is an increase in floor area for a commercial/
industrial/institutional building.
Watermain installation
When does it get collected?
Pockwock water treatment plant
What is this Regional Development
Charge (RDC)?
The RDC is a fee payable at the building permit
stage of a development to cover costs associated
with the funding of the capacity expansion
of regional water and wastewater treatment
facilities and associated infrastructure. The fee was
approved by Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board
(NSUARB) effective July 14, 2014.
What is the purpose of the RDC?
As new development takes place additional
capacity/strain is placed on water and wastewater
systems. There are costs incurred by Halifax Water
for the additional load placed on the water and
wastewater systems. The RDC funds regional
wastewater and water infrastructure expansion
requirements related to growth. The charges
will help ensure new growth and development
pays for the infrastructure costs caused by
new development. This fee model provides
fairness across the rate base, and ensures current
customers do not subsidize new growth and
development.
The RDC is collected at the Building Permit stage
through HRM’s Customer Service Centres.
Is this a new charge?
The RDC, approved by Nova Scotia Utility and
Review Board effective July 14, 2014, replaces
the historical existing Sewer Redevelopment
Charge (SRC), Regional Wastewater Capital Cost
Contribution Charge, and Trunk Sewer Charge.
These charges were collected for the same
general intent but did not meet the funding
requirements.
What are the rates and how do they
compare to the old charges?
Urban Core (all areas within HRM with central
wastewater service) - Wastewater
Type of
Development
Typical
Existing
Charge
July 14,
2014
April 1,
2015
Single Unit
Dwelling/
Townhouse
$1,627/
unit
$2,853.90/
unit
$4,080.80/
unit
When are the charges planned to come
into effect?
Multiple Unit
Dwelling
$884/
unit
$1,812.42/
unit
$2,740.84/
unit
The RDC is in the final stages of approval from the
NSUARB. It is proposed that the RDCs be phased
in over 2 years, with the first increase on July 14,
2014 and the second April 1, 2015.
Industrial/
Commercial/
Institutional
Building
$0.57/
sq. ft.
$1.25/sq.
ft.
$1.93/sq.
ft.
If I’m building in a Master Plan area
where the land developer has paid
Capital Cost Charges (CCCs), do I still pay
the RDC?
Yes, the RDC applies.

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