Farm and managed forest properties shielded from Toronto storm water fees, with refund rules for overpayments

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

Toronto and its local boards are being prohibited from charging storm water management fees or charges against portions of properties classified as farm or managed forest under the Assessment Act. An exception applies where storm water drains directly from a private storm sewer on the property into a City-owned storm sewer. Where fees were collected contrary to this new limit, the City or local board must refund the affected amounts and pay interest — calculated at the lowest Schedule I bank prime rate — starting either from the date the rule takes effect (for payments already received) or 90 days after receipt (for payments received afterward). Property owners with farm or managed forest classifications who have been paying storm water charges to the City of Toronto should review whether a refund may be owed to them. The section on police record check fees was also updated to replace 'municipality' with 'City' and 'local board (extended definition),' a terminology clarification with no apparent change in practical scope.

Who this affects: farm property owners in Toronto · managed forest property owners in Toronto · Toronto city administration and local boards · property managers of mixed-use properties with farm or forest classifications