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Development Charges Calculator

Work out development charges instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Development Charges Calculator

Development charges recover the cost of trunk infrastructure from new development and are commonly levied on both land area and built-up area, at different rates and often varying by zone and use. Expressing the total per built-up square metre makes it comparable with construction cost, where it typically adds three to ten percent.

Formula

Development charges

Total = built-up area x building rate + land area x land rate

Worked example

With the default values below, Development Charges Calculator returns Total development charges of $4,600,000.00. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Built-up areaminimum 0.01 m²
5,000 m²
Development charge on built-up areaminimum 0 per m²
800 per m²
Land areaminimum 0.01 m²
2,000 m²
Development charge on landminimum 0 per m²
300 per m²

Results

Total development charges
$4,600,000.00
Charge on built-up area
$4,000,000.00
Charge on land area
$600,000.00
Effective charge per built-up square metre
$920.00

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Development charges
  3. 3Total development charges= 4,600,000.00
  4. 4Charge on built-up area= 4,000,000.00
  5. 5Charge on land area= 600,000.00
  6. 6Effective charge per built-up square metre= 920.00

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Preliminary estimate only. Development charge rates, bases and exemptions are set by the local authority and must be confirmed before budgeting.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Development charge rates, bases and exemptions are set by the local authority and must be confirmed before budgeting.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Development Charges figure worked out?

Total = built-up area x building rate + land area x land rate. Development charges recover the cost of trunk infrastructure from new development and are commonly levied on both land area and built-up area, at different rates and often varying by zone and use.

Are development charges the same as a betterment levy?

No. Development charges pay for infrastructure the development requires; a betterment levy recovers windfall value created by public action. Many jurisdictions apply both.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Built-up area, Development charge on built-up area, Land area, Development charge on land. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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