Parks Canada land-use planning fees

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice adds new land-use planning fees to the Parks Canada Master List of Fees. It was published on December 21, 2024 and lists charges for permits and planning services that apply on lands run by Parks Canada.

What it does#

• Lists fees for land-use planning services (development permits, building permits, other permits, planning reviews and subdivision approvals) that apply across Parks Canada properties.
• Explains how Parks Canada will adjust fees over time:
  • Fees will automatically increase every two years based on the two-year cumulative change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
  • There is a built-in two‑year delay between the CPI calculation and when new fees take effect. For example: CPI for 2022 and 2023 determined an adjustment in 2024 that comes into force in 2026; the same pattern applies for 2024/2025 → 2026 → 2028, and 2026/2027 → 2028 → 2030.
  • All automatic increases will be rounded up to the nearest $0.25.
• Clarifies deposit and cancellation rules: Parks Canada may require up to 50% of a fee as a non‑refundable deposit for some services.
• Notes exceptions and separate fees:
  • Parks Canada can set fees by contract for third‑party services (examples: equipment rentals, event permits, on‑site merchandise); those contract fees are published at individual locations and are not part of this Master List.
• Gives a few representative fees (the full list is in the Gazette and on Parks Canada’s website):
  • Development permit — existing residential: $250.
  • Development permit — addition to residential gross floor area: $450 base fee + $1.10 per m2 of added floor area.
  • New residential construction (up to two units): $1,500.
  • Building permit — residential: $11 per $1,000 of estimated building value (minimum $150).
  • Demolition permit: $2.50 per m2 of gross floor area (minimum $150, maximum $5,000).
• States that fees are set under the authority of the Parks Canada Agency Act and follow requirements of the Service Fees Act.
• Says the fees listed remain valid until Parks Canada retracts or revises them.

Who's affected#

• People who build, renovate, or develop property on lands managed by Parks Canada (including private property owners, developers, contractors).
• Event organizers, businesses, or groups who need permits or contracts for services inside national parks or other Parks Canada places.
• Visitors who buy permits, passes, or services where contract-set fees (like rentals or merchandise) apply — those prices are managed locally.
• If it’s unclear whether a specific property or project is on Parks Canada land, the notice suggests checking Parks Canada’s site or contacting local Parks Canada offices.

Why it matters#

• The notice sets the prices people will pay for permits and approvals on Parks Canada lands. That affects the cost and timing of building, renovations, events, and some business activities inside national parks and other managed places.
• Automatic CPI-based increases (every two years, rounded to $0.25) make future fee changes predictable but mean costs can rise even without a new policy decision.
• The possibility of a non‑refundable deposit (up to 50%) matters for budgeting: applicants can lose that money if plans change.
• Contract-set fees handled locally mean some costs (rentals, event services, merchandise) can vary by park and will not all be listed in the Master List.