Parks Canada land‑use planning fees

Summary#

This notice, published by Parks Canada on December 21, 2024, adds a set of land-use planning fees to the Parks Canada Master List of Fees. It lists specific charges for permits, reviews and planning services in national parks and explains how those fees will be adjusted over time under the National Parks of Canada Land Use Planning Regulations.

What it does#

• Adds a range of fees for land‑use planning and permitting in national parks. Examples include:
  • Development permit — existing residential: $250.
  • Development permit — addition to residential: $450 base + $1.10 per m2 of added floor area.
  • New residential construction (up to two units): $1,500.
  • New residential construction (3 units): $2,750 for 3 units + $200 per extra dwelling.
  • Development permit — existing non‑residential: $1,250.
  • Building permits (residential): $11 per $1,000 of estimated building value (minimum $150).
  • Demolition permit: $2.50 per m2 (minimum $150; maximum $5,000).
  • Pre‑application meeting: $450; public meeting: $750; address assignment: $100.
  • Impact assessment — pathway determination: $75.
  • Subdivision preliminary approval: $2,500 base + $300 per parcel; final approval: $1,000.
• Sets rules for deposits and cancellations: Parks Canada may require up to 50% of a fee as a non‑refundable deposit.
• Establishes an automatic cost increase method: fees will be adjusted every two years based on the two‑year cumulative Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the cumulative CPI is negative, fees will not increase.
  • Example schedule shown: CPI for 2022 and 2023 determines increases that take effect in 2026; CPI for 2024 and 2025 affects fees in 2028; CPI for 2026 and 2027 affects fees in 2030.
  • All automatic increases will be rounded up to the nearest $0.25.
• Notes other fee authorities:
  • Parks Canada can set fees by contract for third‑party services (for example, equipment rentals or event permits). Those contract fees are posted locally and are not listed in this Master List.
  • Parks Canada can reduce fees for government priorities, marketing, or programs.
• Says fees include taxes unless otherwise noted and will remain in effect until revised or removed.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses applying for development permits, building permits, demolitions, signs, tree removals and other land‑use permissions inside national parks.
• Property owners, developers and contractors planning construction, renovations or subdivisions on land managed by Parks Canada.
• Event organizers or vendors that may be charged contract fees at specific sites (those fees are set locally).
• The public and local communities that use services in national parks and may see costs reflected in permit‑related work or business activity inside parks.

If it’s unclear whether a particular project or parcel falls under these rules, the notice points readers to local Parks Canada offices and the Parks Canada website for site‑specific details.

Why it matters#

• If you plan construction, renovation or other land use in a national park, these are the fees you will likely need to budget for. Even small items (like tree permits or address assignments) have fixed charges.
• The two‑year CPI adjustment provides a predictable method for fee increases. That helps planners and businesses estimate future costs, but it also means fees can rise automatically over time.
• The ability to require up to a 50% non‑refundable deposit can affect cash flow for small projects.
• Contract fees and local pricing for rentals or events mean final costs can vary by park and by provider; always check the specific park’s posted fees.