The Town of Collingwood Council approved a change to its building fee rules on February 18, 2026, that will make it cheaper to put up temporary or seasonal structures. This update means that air-supported buildings, such as sports bubbles or tennis domes, are now exempt from certain development charges when they are set up on a seasonal basis in Collingwood, Ontario.
Development charges are fees paid by builders to help the town cover the cost of services and infrastructure needed for new projects. Previously, these types of seasonal bubbles were only exempt if they were owned by a school, but the new rule extends the break to similar structures across the community.
For non-residential projects, these fees are currently set at $339.91 per square metre. By removing this charge for temporary structures, the town aims to make it more affordable for organizations to offer seasonal recreation and community spaces.
While this specific change offers relief for seasonal projects, the development charges for permanent homes remain high. As of January 1, 2026, the total development charge fees for a single-family home in Collingwood is more than $104,000, which includes portions for the town, the county, and local schools.
A large part of these residential fees goes toward major town projects, such as $7,558 for the water treatment plant and $24,868 for the wastewater treatment plant. The town noted that the new seasonal exemption cannot be appealed to the Ontario Land Tribunal.
