Should Farms and Managed Forests Be Exempt from Municipal Stormwater Fees?

Official title: Limiting Municipal Stormwater Fees and Charges: Amending O. Reg 584/06 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and O. Reg 595/06 of the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

Open Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Finance & Consumer Housing & Communities
Ontario wants to stop municipalities from charging stormwater fees to farms and managed forests that aren't connected to municipal storm sewers. Why? The province says these lands naturally absorb rainwater, so they shouldn't pay fees designed for properties that drain into city pipes. If approved, the new rules would kick in 90 days after filing.

Why This Matters

Own a farm or managed forest in Ontario? You might stop paying stormwater fees—if your land isn't piped into the municipal sewer system. For municipalities, this could mean redesigning fee structures and potentially losing revenue from rural properties.

What Could Change

Municipalities would be banned from charging stormwater fees on farm and managed forest portions of properties with no pipe connection to municipal storm sewers. Some municipalities may need to redesign their entire stormwater fee structure. The exemption would apply province-wide, creating consistent treatment for agricultural lands.

Key Issues

  • Should farms and managed forests without storm sewer connections be exempt from municipal stormwater fees?
  • How should 'direct connection' to a municipal storm sewer be defined?
  • What impacts would this have on municipal stormwater fee structures and revenues?

How to Participate

  1. Review the current O. Reg 584/06 (Municipal Act) to understand the existing framework.
  2. Submit your feedback by email to mfpb@ontario.ca by December 28, 2025.

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Key Documents