Welcome to the Planning Department

We are responsible for student accommodation and property.

Student accommodation includes boundaries, enrollment projections, identifying sites for new schools, obtaining funding for capital projects (such as new schools and additions), portable allocation, and public processes related to school closures and boundary changes. Visit our Accommodations page to learn more about administrative procedures, reviews, boundary maps, and our Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP).

To search school direction by civic address visit: Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region

Property includes buying and selling land, agreements with third party operators (e.g. child care centres), partnerships (e.g. community centres, libraries), and obtaining funding for land purchases including Education Development Charges.

To direct your school support to WCDSB, please check the Support Catholic Education webpage.

We are committed to making the trip to school more enjoyable for everyone. We actively work with Student Transportation Services of Waterloo Region (STSWR) to promote active transportation (walking, wheeling, and scooting) and reduce traffic congestion (and hazards) around our schools. There are Drive to 5 maps, information on school travel planning and resources for schools and parents / guardians in the Walk Zone at STSWR.

To view the development sign specification for the WCDSB, please check the WCDSB Sign Specifications document.

Facility Partnerships refer to arrangements for regular and consistent use of a WCDSB facility where such uses are operating during the normal school day (i.e. Monday to Friday; 6 am to 6 pm). A partner may rent space within an identified existing school (or other board facility) or partner with WCDSB to co-build a new facility.

For more information about Community Use of school space (i.e., evenings and weekends) please visit the Community Use of Schools webpage.

For more information about the process, please read the following policy documents.

Community Planning and Partnerships Guideline

APF012: Facility Partnerships

Approved Partners
To be considered, interested partners shall submit an application to first become an approved partner. Partnership applications should be submitted to planning@wcdsb.ca

When space is available in existing schools or there are co-building opportunities, WCDSB will notify all approved partners. Approved partners will then be invited to submit an expression of interest.

Community Planning and Partnership Reports

For any information about the opportunities listed above please contact planning@wcdsb.ca

Education Development Charges (EDCs)

Please Note:

Recent provincial announcements and legislative changes, including those communicated by the Province of Ontario the week of March 30, 2026, contemplate reductions, deferrals, and other changes to municipal development charges under the Development Charges Act, 1997.

These changes do not apply to Education Development Charges (EDCs). Education Development Charges are governed separately under the Education Act and Ontario Regulation 20/98, and are not subject to the Development Charges Act or any amendments made through Bill 17 or related provincial announcements.

Accordingly, any reductions, deferrals, interest provisions, or other adjustments announced for municipal development charges do not apply to EDCs. Education Development Charges continue to be calculated, imposed, and collected strictly in accordance with the applicable EDC by‑law and provincial education legislation.

School boards in Ontario are permitted to levy Education Development Charges (EDCs) under the authority of the Education Act and Ontario Regulation 20/98. EDCs provide funding for growth‑related education land costs, which are not covered through the Province’s capital grant programs.

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) has had an EDC by‑law in place since 2001. To renew an EDC by‑law, school boards must follow the processes and requirements set out in provincial legislation. Although EDC by‑laws are typically updated every five years, boards may review and update specific inputs, such as land values, on an annual basis.

Both the WCDSB and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) have EDC by-laws in place across the Region of Waterloo. Lower-tier municipalities collect EDCs on behalf of both school boards when building permits are issued.

Rates

The following WCDSB EDC rates apply to building permits in the Region of Waterloo:

  • Residential rate effective June 1, 2025 – May 31, 2026 (Year 5): $1,739 per unit
  • Non-Residential rate effective June 1, 2025-May 31, 2026 (Year 5): $0.72 per square foot

For assistance email: edc@wcdsb.ca

The Waterloo Catholic District School Board is undertaking its 2026 Education Development Charges (EDC) Review to ensure that growth‑related land needs are appropriately planned for and funded in accordance with provincial legislation. The review assesses current and projected student enrolment, school capacity, and growth patterns to determine eligibility and needs to be funded by EDCs. The results of this review will inform the Board’s future EDC By‑law and support long‑term accommodation planning across the District.

Members of the public, municipal partners and development community are invited to review materials and provide input as part of the EDC Review process. Interested parties are can participate by:

  • Reviewing background materials prepared in support of the EDC Review
  • Attending public meetings held as part of the statutory process; and
  • Providing written comments to the Board during the review period.

Engagement opportunities and resources:

As of April 9, the Ministry of Education has advised that it is not able to confirm approval of the EDC background study before the Board’s originally scheduled April 27 meeting. Because Ministry approval is required before the by-law can be adopted, the Board will not proceed with approval at that meeting. The Board will share information about when the by-law will be considered for approval. This information will be communicated to stakeholders and posted on the Board’s website.

The WCDSB Board of Trustees meeting and delegation process information is available online.

Do I Have to Pay a Fee?

Some types of land uses, like hospitals, government buildings or farms do not have to pay EDCs. For a complete list of land uses that do not have to pay, please refer to the 2021 WCDSB EDC By-law . Refer to the 2022 amendment for current rates.

Unlike some municipalities, the board does not have area-specific exemptions (e.g., core area redevelopment). Freezes and deferrals available under the Development Charges Act do not apply to EDCs.

Demolition or Redevelopment Credits

Demolition or destruction of a building provides credits for redevelopment. Redevelopment must be on the same site. Credits expire after two years on residential units and five years on non-residential floor area.

Residential Additions and Conversions

The board does not charge EDCs on basic additions to homes which do not add additional dwelling units to a building, such as adding a sun room. However, under certain circumstances EDCs may apply such as constructing a detached Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) or if converting a new home within 12 months of occupancy (i.e., single detached to duplex). Refer to the 2021 WCDSB EDC By-law and 2022 amendment for current rates.

Non-Residential (Industrial) Additions

The board may not charge EDCs on additions to existing industrial buildings if the gross floor area increases by less than 50 per cent. If increasing by more than 50 per cent, a charge applies only to the amount over 50 per cent.

Expansion exemptions do not apply to detached non-residential buildings on the same site. For more information, refer to the 2021 WCDSB EDC By-law however, please refer to the 2022 amendment for current rates.

School boards may review the prescribed maximum EDC rate to ensure that inputs such as the price of land are consistent with the assumptions made in the original EDC Background Study. The EDC legislation permits school boards to increase the quantum of the EDC rate once in a one-year period via an amendment.

2025 Annual Review

On March 24, 2024 the Board of Trustees received an information report confirming no changes in the board’s EDC rates, beyond those increases approved in 2022.

2024 Annual Review

On March 24, 2024 the Board of Trustees received an information report confirming no changes in the board’s EDC rates, beyond those increases approved in 2022.

2023 Annual Review

A stakeholder meeting attended by municipal and land development representatives was hosted by Watson on March 28, 2023. At this meeting, stakeholders were provided background information on Education Development Charges, limitations on the board’s ability to increase its rate and factors contributing to the review of land values and maximum eligible rates in 2023.

On April 24, 2023, Trustees received a report for information confirming no changes in EDC rates beyond those increases approved in 2022.

April 24, 2023 Board of Trustee Agenda

WCDSB EDC Rates in Effect as of June 1, 2022

On Monday, May 9, 2022 the Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board approved an amendment to the board’s Education Development Charge By-law (2021).  WCDSB residential and non-residential rates were established as of June 1, 2022.

WCDSB 2022 EDC Amending By-law OCR Signed 2022.05.09

WCDSB Notice of Passing of EDC By-law Amendment 2022.05.11

The schedule of Education Development Charges imposed by the By-law with respect to designated categories of residential development and designated residential uses of land, buildings and structures and non-residential development and the designated non-residential uses of land, buildings and structures have been calculated in accordance with the Regulations, as follows:

Residential Charge Per Dwelling Unit

June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 – $1,253 per unit;
June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 – $1,553 per unit;
June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 – $1,739 per unit; and
June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 – $1,739 per unit.

Non-Residential Charge Per Square Foot

June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023 – $0.52 per square foot ($5.60 per square metre);
June 1, 2023 to May 31, 2024 – $0.62 per square foot ($6.67 per square metre);
June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025 – $0.72 per square foot ($7.75 per square metre); and
June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2026 – $0.72 per square foot ($7.75 per square metre).

2021 Education Development Charges Background Study and By-law

NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT CHARGES BY-LAW BOARD MEETING TO BE HELD IN PERSON ON MAY 9, 2022 AT 6:00 P.M.

On May 9, 2021, the Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) passed Education Development Charge (EDC) by-laws which came into force on June 1, 2021. At that time the boards committed to reviewing EDC inputs such as land value assumptions annually. The regulation permits school boards to increase the quantum of the EDC rate once in a one-year period via an amendment.

May 9, 2022 – Special Board of Trustees’ Meeting Agenda

Notice of Intention Amend 2021 EDC By-law (WCDSB) April 11 2022

Board Report WRDSB WCDSB 2022 EDC Amendment 2022.04.11

WRDSB WCDSB EDC AMENDMENT 2022 STAKEHOLDER PRESENTATION

WCDSB / WRDSB EDC Amendment Stakeholder Meeting Recording 2022.04.14

By-law Effective June 1, 2021 (Rates superseded by 2022 Amendment)

On Monday, May 10, 2021 the Board of Trustees of the Waterloo Catholic District School Board approved a new Education Development Charge By-law (2021).  New residential and non-residential rates will be in effect as of June 1, 2021. The Board of Trustees directed staff to annually review land values and provide a report to the Board if land values support an amendment to the Education Development Charge By-law (2021) to increase residential and non-residential charges.

The schedule of Education Development Charges imposed by the 2021 By-law with respect to designated categories of residential development and designated residential uses of land, buildings and structures and non-residential development and the designated non-residential uses of land, buildings and structures have been calculated in accordance with the Regulations, as follows:

Residential Charge Per Dwelling Unit

(a) June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022 – $953.00; and,
(b) June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2026 – $1,049.00.

Non-Residential Charge Per Square Foot

(a) June 1, 2021 to May 31, 2022 – $0.42 per square foot ($4.52 per square metre); and
(b) June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2026-$0.43 per square foot ($4.63 per square metre).

Background

Education Development Charges By-Law 2016 (expiry May 31, 2021)

Effective June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2021.
Please note that the by-law may be amended on an annual basis.

Rates:

  • New Residential Rate: $653 per unit
  • New Non-Residential Rate: $0.32 per square foot

All permits issued on or after June 1, 2016 will be subject to these rates – this includes all permits certified by the WCDSB that are not paid prior to May 31, 2016.

Staff

Contact: planning@wcdsb.ca

Jennifer Passy
Manager of Planning
519-578-3660 X2253
jennifer.passy@wcdsb.ca

Virina Elgawly
Planning Officer
519-578-3660 ext. 2359
virina.elgawly@wcdsb.ca

Sahar Eghtesadi
Planner
548-490-9918
sahar.eghtesadi@wcdsb.ca

Isabelle Lung Ler
Planning Technician
519-578-3660 X2355
Isabelle.LungLer@wcdsb.ca