The Ontario fighting delays building faster act 2025 (Bill 60) could reshape how new housing gets built, priced, and delivered — making it a crucial development for anyone tracking pre-construction condos, townhomes, or new builds in 2026. Proposed reforms to development charges, approval timelines, and zoning rules may help reduce costs and speed up delivery — but as with any big legislative change, there are trade-offs [1][2].

What Bill 60 Proposes: A Quick Overview

On October 23, 2025, the provincial government introduced Bill 60 as part of a broader push to tackle Ontario’s housing crunch. The bill bundles changes across many statutes, including the Development Charges Act, 1997 (DCA), the Planning Act, and other land-use and infrastructure laws, aiming to streamline approvals and get “shovels in the ground faster.” Key components include standardized development-charge calculation, new municipal reporting requirements, and simplified zoning/variance rules for developments that meet certain criteria [3][4].

One significant change: municipalities will now need to adopt a “local service policy” when imposing development charges, clearly defining which services are covered and what developments qualify. This aims to increase transparency and reduce unpredictable, lump-sum DC fees that have historically inflated the cost of building condos and townhomes [5][1].

How These Changes Could Lower Costs & Speed Up Builds

If Bill 60 passes in its current form, 2026 buyers — especially those looking at pre-construction or new builds — could benefit from several advantages:

• Lower development-charge burden: With standardized calculations and clearer local-service policies, developers may face lower, more predictable DC fees — which could translate to lower purchase prices or reduced “levy-related” premiums for buyers [5][3].
• Faster zoning and permit approvals: As-of-right variances and simplified zoning under Bill 60 are designed to reduce delays, meaning some projects could break ground sooner than under the old system [6][4].
• Clearer cost transparency: Because municipalities have to report DC reserve-funds and the works tied to the fees, buyers and investors will have better visibility into what they’re paying for — reducing hidden charges and surprises at closing [3][2].
• Potential boost to rental and affordable-housing projects: Some reforms aim to ease approvals and charges for multi-unit rental or purpose-built affordable homes — which could increase supply and relieve some of the pressure on resale and condo inventories [3][1].

Risks & Considerations — Why It’s Not Guaranteed to Be a Win

As promising as these reforms may sound, there are several caveats and potential downside risks that buyers, investors, and municipalities should keep in mind:

• Bill 60 isn’t law — yet: As of late 2025, Bill 60 is in second reading and still subject to legislative approval and possible amendments [2][3].
• Local-policy variation remains: Even with standardization, municipalities may interpret DC and “local service” definitions differently — causing wide variance in fees and approvals depending on location.
• Possible pushback on farmland and zoning changes: Some advocacy groups warn that streamlined planning and loosened municipal scrutiny (especially around zoning/MZO powers) could threaten farmland protection, green belt integrity, and long-term community planning [7][8].
• Tenant & rental-market concerns: Portions of Bill 60 also affect landlord/tenant legislation and eviction rules. Tenant advocates argue this may erode protections for renters — creating social and political headwinds that could impact future housing policy [8][4].
• No guarantee of immediate price drops: Lower DC costs don’t automatically translate into lower listing prices — developers may instead use savings to improve margins rather than reduce end-user prices.

What Buyers & Investors Should Watch in 2026

If you’re positioning for a 2026 purchase — whether you’re going ground-oriented or pre-construction — here’s what to monitor closely as Bill 60 works its way through the system:

• Municipal DC by-law updates & background studies: Changes under Bill 60 mean municipalities will need to revisit their DC frameworks. Keep eyes on by-law notices and public consultations — could be the trigger for next-gen builds [6][9].
• Zoning and variance regulation definitions: Check for local adoption of as-of-right variances or MZO-streamlined processes — these may unlock previously delayed or stalled sites [10][4].
• Project pre-sale terms & pricing: With reduced development-charge risk, there may be pricing advantages for early buyers — especially in pre-construction or early-phase projects.
• Community and environmental-land reform debates: Stay alert to public consultations on farmland protection, heritage zoning, and green-belt preservation, particularly if you’re buying near exurban or peri-urban areas [7][11].
• Rental-market ripples: If reforms accelerate rental construction as promised, it could ease demand on resale — but watch for how landlords and tenants respond under changed landlord-tenant rules [1][8].

FAQs: Ontario Fighting Delays Building Faster Act 2025

1. What exactly is the Fighting Delays Building Faster Act?
   It’s omnibus legislation introduced in late 2025 to amend multiple laws — including the Development Charges Act and Planning Act — with the goal of reducing red tape, standardizing development charges, and speeding up approvals for housing and infrastructure [3][2].
2. How will it affect development charges?
   Municipalities will need to define “local service policies” when imposing DCs, which should make fees more transparent and predictable — potentially reducing cost burdens on developers and, by extension, homebuyers [5][6].
3. Does this mean new homes will cost less?
   Possibly — lower DCs and faster approvals could reduce carrying costs, but final pricing depends on many variables (land costs, financing, demand, materials, etc.).
4. Are there risks for buyers?
   Yes — the bill is still under debate, and local variations, zoning disputes, or regulatory backlash could delay projects or change timelines. Plus, reduced oversight might raise concerns about farmland preservation and tenant protections [7][8].
5. What should I do if I’m considering pre-construction or buying in 2026?
   Monitor municipal by-law updates, track DC background studies, and keep in touch with local planners or developers to understand the implications of Bill 60 in your target area.

Sources:

1. Ontario Legislative Assembly – Bill 60 Status & Summary (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025)
2. Dentons – What Bill 60 Means for Development & Planning (Nov 2025)
3. Stikeman Elliott – Bill 60 Breakdown: Planning & DC Reform (Oct 2025)
4. McMillan – Changes on the Horizon: Bill 60 Explained (Nov 2025)
5. Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) – Bill 60: DC Modernization & Local Service Policies (Oct 2025)
6. Soloway Wright – Legal Summary: Bill 60 Amendments to DC and Planning Laws (Nov 2025)
7. NFU-Ontario – Analysis & Concerns Over Farmland Protection Under Bill 60 (Nov 2025)
8. Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario (ACTO) – Tenant Risks & Bill 60 Critique (Nov 2025)

Sanjeevan

CTMO

Sanjeevan Premkumar is the Chief Technology & Marketing Officer at Bridge, specializing in digital strategy and real estate market research. He combines technical insight with a deep understanding of the property sector.

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