Welcome to the Planning Department
We are responsible for student accommodation and property.
Accommodation
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 on-going reviews, maps, and our Long Term Accommodation Plan (LTAP).
Property
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.
Direction of School Support
To direct your school support to WCDSB, please check the Support Catholic Education webpage.
Education Development Charges (EDCs)
The Education Act and Ontario Regulation 20/98 provides school boards, across the province of Ontario, with the authority to imposed Education Development Charges (EDCs). EDCs provide a source of funding for growth-related education land costs which are not funded by capital grant allocations under the Province’s capital funding model. The Waterloo Catholic District School Board has had an EDC By-law in place since 2001. In order to renew their by-laws each board must follow certain processes and guidelines as required by provincial legislation. Generally by-law are reviewed every 5 years, however, boards may review certain inputs, such as land value, and update their eligible charges annually.
The Waterloo Catholic District School Board (WCDSB) and the Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) have education development charge (EDC) by-laws in place across the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Lower tier municipalities collect EDCs on behalf of both school boards at the time of building permit issuance.
Current rates are as described in the 2022 amendment.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 however, please refer to the 2022 amendment for current rates.
Unlike some municipalities, the board does not have area-specific exemptions (e.g., core area redevelopment).
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 if adding additional dwelling units. If convert a home within 12 months of moving in (i.e., single detached to duplex), EDCs apply. For more information, refer to the 2021 WCDSB EDC By-law however, please refer to the 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.
For assistance email: edc@wcdsb.ca
Facility Partnerships
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.
Walk to School & Reduce Traffic Around Schools
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.
Development Sign Specifications
To view the development sign specification for the WCDSB, please check the WCDSB Sign Specifications document.
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
Jordan Neale
Planning Technician
519-578-3660 X2355
jordan.neale@wcdsb.ca
