Custom Home Builders Peterborough, City and County
Custom home builders Peterborough: My Own Cottage builds year-round homes for lots you own in the City of Peterborough and all eight Peterborough County townships.
Preconfigured models start at $229,500 for the structure and delivery. Foundation, site preparation, servicing, permits, municipal charges and turnkey finishing are quoted separately against your lot.
- HCRA-licensed
- Tarion-enrolled
- Look us up by company name in the Ontario Builder Directory
My Own Cottage Inc. is an HCRA-licensed, Tarion-enrolled prefab home and cottage builder based in Orillia, Ontario. We deliver anywhere in Ontario, including Peterborough and the Kawarthas, and this page covers the Peterborough end of our build-on-your-lot service across Ontario. A City lot and a County lot follow different permit, septic and charge rules, and both are set out below.
| Year-round model | Floor area | Bedrooms / bathrooms | Preconfigured model starting at |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harbour Side | 1,269 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $379,500 |
| Hudson | 1,550 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $524,500 |
| Montebello | 2,307 sq ft | 3 / 2 | $619,500 |
Three of our year-round models are shown above. Compare floor areas and starting prices across the full range.
Key takeaways
- Preconfigured models start at $229,500 for structure and delivery. Foundation, site preparation, servicing, permits, municipal charges and turnkey finishing are extra.
- The City of Peterborough lists a development charge of $34,302.00 per single detached home from March 30, 2026 to July 1, 2029, half the $68,604 in its by-law.
- A Peterborough County lot also pays the County development charge of $13,948 for a home over 103 m², on top of any township charge.
- County lots get building and septic permits from the township building department. City lots go to the City.
- Township building permit fees use three different units: per square foot, per square metre and per $1,000 of construction value.
Who is a Peterborough custom home build right for?
A Peterborough build with us suits someone who owns a lot, or has an accepted offer on one, and wants a year-round primary home. The model comes from our catalogue, and the site work is quoted against your lot. For the full sequence from lot checks to occupancy, see the step-by-step build sequence from lot to occupancy.
Building on a Peterborough County lot with a well and septic
A County lot without municipal water or sewer needs a private well and a septic system. Your township's building department issues the septic permit. That adds a permit, a design and an installed system to the budget before the house is set.
Building a custom home on a serviced City of Peterborough lot
A serviced City lot connects to municipal water and sewer instead. On a City lot, the budget question moves from the septic system to the City's development charges and connection costs.
Who handles site preparation and permits for a Peterborough build?
My Own Cottage helps with municipal permits. We handle installation coordination for the site work: licensed-trade installation affiliates, contracted rather than employed, carry out the foundation, site preparation and servicing. That work is quoted separately against your lot and set in the agreement before the build. We don't take on renovations, additions, commercial work or landscaping.
Custom home builders Peterborough: how do you find a reliable one?
Check the licence first. The Ontario Builder Directory is the one public lookup for Ontario builders and vendors, and you can search it by company name. The Home Construction Regulatory Authority (HCRA) runs the directory. Builder licensing moved from Tarion to the HCRA on February 1, 2021.
How do you check a builder's HCRA licence and Tarion enrolment?
Search "My Own Cottage" in the Ontario Builder Directory to see our HCRA licence and Tarion enrolment in one place. My Own Cottage Inc. is an HCRA-licensed, Tarion-enrolled prefab home and cottage builder based in Orillia, Ontario. Run the same search on every builder on your Peterborough shortlist.
Who is the best custom home builder in Peterborough?
No page can tell you which builder is best for your lot. What you can compare is what each builder publishes and puts in writing, using the questions below.
- A licence you can look up
- A starting price with its exclusions
- A written scope for the site work
What questions should you ask a Peterborough builder before you sign?
Ask every builder on your Peterborough shortlist these five questions, and get the answers in writing:
- Can I find your licence in the Ontario Builder Directory?
- What is your published starting price, and what does it leave out?
- Who does the foundation, site preparation and servicing, and is that scope in the agreement before the build?
- Who handles the permits with the City of Peterborough or my township?
- Which development charges, septic approval and conservation review apply to my lot?
Put all five questions to us. Bring your lot address to a free, no-obligation consultation and get the answers in writing.
How much does a custom home cost in Peterborough before site work?
The model is the first number, and we publish it. None of the five builder pages we reviewed from this search's first page on September 27, 2026 published a price. Our preconfigured prefab homes start at $229,500 and run to $949,500, covering the structure and home delivery to your lot. Pricing tracks specification rather than floor area, so two homes of similar size can sit far apart in price.
What does the model price leave out on a Peterborough lot?
Six costs sit outside the model price on every lot. Each one is quoted against your lot before you sign.
| Cost outside the model price | Who sets it on a Peterborough lot |
|---|---|
| Foundation | Licensed-trade installation affiliate, quoted against your lot |
| Site preparation | Licensed-trade installation affiliate, quoted against your lot |
| Servicing (well and septic, or City water and sewer connections) | Affiliate quote, plus the City and Peterborough Utilities for City connections |
| Permits | The City of Peterborough or your township's building department |
| Municipal charges | City, County and township development charges, plus education development charges |
| Turnkey finishing | Quoted separately |
How much can Peterborough lot charges change your budget?
A City lot and a County lot can differ by more than $10,000 in development charges alone, because the City, the County and each township set their own. The lot's address changes the total before any design choice does. For a single detached home, the City-wide and education charges alone total $36,072.00 in the City of Peterborough, against $24,495 in Trent Lakes and $22,934 in Douro-Dummer for a home over 103 m².
A City lot and a County lot can differ by more than $10,000 in charges alone, so the lot's address changes the total before any design choice does.
The model price is published. The six costs above it depend on your lot, and a City lot and a County lot can differ by more than $10,000 in charges alone. Get them quoted against your address.
Which permits does a new home need in Peterborough City or County?
The permit office depends on which side of the City boundary your lot sits. The City of Peterborough issues permits for City lots. On a County lot, your township's building department issues them.
How much is a building permit in the City of Peterborough?
The City of Peterborough charges $29.45 per square metre of gross floor area for a new residential building permit, with a $235 minimum, plus a $125.00 administrative fee, under its 2026 fee schedule. The City measures building area as gross area under the Ontario Building Code. That rate is per square metre, not per square foot. On a City lot without sewer service, the City charges $781.50 for a Class 4 sewage system permit under 4,500 litres a day.
What are the Peterborough County township building permit fees?
Each of Peterborough County's eight townships coordinates its own building inspections and sets its own permit fee. Check the unit before you compare, because the townships charge per square foot, per square metre or per $1,000 of construction value.
| Township | New-home building permit fee | Minimum fee | Fee by-law or schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphodel-Norwood | $10.00 per $1,000 of construction value, plus a $75.00 admin charge | $50.00 | By-law 2026-21 |
| Cavan Monaghan | $1.25 per sq ft | $200.00 | By-law 2025-53, 2026 fees |
| Douro-Dummer | $14.50 per $1,000 of construction value | $225.00 | By-law 2024-31, as amended by 2025-46 |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen | $1.40 per sq ft | $150.00 | By-law 2024-069 |
| North Kawartha | $12.00 per $1,000 of valuation | $225.00 | By-law 2022-0005 |
| Otonabee-South Monaghan | $1.58 per sq ft ($17.01 per m²) | $270.00 | Tariff of Fees, Schedule E (2024) |
| Selwyn (Ennismore, Lakefield and Smith wards) | $20.16 per m² of finished area, for dwellings up to 300 m² | $330.20 | User fees, effective March 1, 2026 |
| Trent Lakes | $1.54 per sq ft of finished, heated area | $2,464.00 | Fees and Charges By-law schedules (Building By-law B2024-045) |
Who approves a septic system in Peterborough?
In Peterborough County, your township's building department approves the septic system. The County states that "your local township manages sewer and septic system inspections." Selwyn Township confirms that its Building Department "is responsible for privately owned sewage systems," and Douro-Dummer requires "a separate Sewage System permit" for every new or replacement system. In the City, the City of Peterborough receives and reviews new septic applications.
Permit offices, fees and septic rules change at the City boundary and again between townships. My Own Cottage helps with municipal permits, so start with your lot address.
Does a Peterborough building lot need a conservation authority review?
It does if the lot sits in an area a conservation authority regulates. Otonabee Conservation's members include the City and five County townships, and Kawartha Conservation's include Trent Lakes and Cavan Monaghan. Under Bill 97, Ontario's 36 conservation authorities are set to be consolidated into 9 regional authorities from February 1, 2027, or a later date set by regulation, so these authority names may change.
Conservation authority
Otonabee Conservation
| Peterborough-area member |
|---|
| City of Peterborough |
| Cavan Monaghanalso a Kawartha Conservation member |
| Selwyn |
| Douro-Dummer |
| Otonabee-South Monaghan |
| Asphodel-Norwood |
Conservation authority
Kawartha Conservation
| Peterborough-area member |
|---|
| Trent Lakes |
| Cavan Monaghanalso an Otonabee Conservation member |
| Ask the township building department |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuensits on the Crowe Valley Conservation board |
| North Kawarthasits on the Crowe Valley Conservation board |
Which Peterborough lots does Otonabee Conservation review?
Otonabee Conservation's Peterborough-area members are the City of Peterborough, Cavan Monaghan, Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Otonabee-South Monaghan and Asphodel-Norwood. Douro-Dummer states that a property in an area Otonabee Conservation regulates needs its approval "for any construction that involves breaking ground." Otonabee Conservation charges $315 for a Proposal Inquiry in 2026, and its inquiry staff reply within three to five business days.
Which Peterborough County townships are Kawartha Conservation members?
Kawartha Conservation's members include Trent Lakes and Cavan Monaghan. Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and North Kawartha both sit on the Crowe Valley Conservation board. For a lot in either township, ask the township building department which conservation authority, if any, regulates it.
What are development charges on a new Peterborough home?
A development charge is a one-time fee a municipality charges on a new home. The City of Peterborough lists $34,302.00 per single detached home for March 30, 2026 to July 1, 2029. On June 15, 2026, City Council approved a 50% cut to residential development charges for three years, and Development Charges By-law 25-100 sets the full rate at $68,604.
How much are development charges in the City of Peterborough?
The City-wide charge and education charges alone total $36,072.00 for a single detached home, before any area-specific or water charge. The City collects the water services and education charges at the building permit stage.
| City of Peterborough charge | Per single detached home | Period or by-law |
|---|---|---|
| City-wide development charge | $34,302.00 | March 30, 2026 to July 1, 2029 |
| Area-specific charge, eight named planning areas | $2,668.50 (Jackson) to $8,068.50 (Chemong West) | By-laws 22-053 to 22-060 |
| Water services development charge | $625.50 to $3,651.00 by area; $1,265.50 outside the planning areas | By-law 24-050, 2026 schedule |
| Education development charges (KPR District School Board $1,246.00 + PVNCC District School Board $524.00) | $1,770.00 | April 4, 2025 to April 3, 2027 |
What development charges apply in Peterborough County townships?
A County lot pays the County charge, plus the township's own charge where the township has one. The County charge is $13,948 for a single detached home over 103 m² of gross floor area (about 1,109 sq ft) and $11,837 for a smaller home, effective January 1, 2026. Your township collects the County charge on the County's behalf.
| Municipality | Development charge per single detached home | By-law | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| County of Peterborough (all townships) | $13,948 over 103 m²; $11,837 under 103 m² | 2022-35 | January 1, 2026 |
| Cavan Monaghan | $18,806 rural; $39,425 in Millbrook | 2026-47 | In force September 9, 2026 |
| Douro-Dummer | $7,216.00 | 2024-44 | 2026 |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen | $12,388 township-wide, plus $5,139 wastewater in the urban service area | 2025-043 | Passed June 3, 2025; indexed from January 1, 2026 |
| Selwyn | $6,932 | 2023-053 to 2023-057, as amended | Rate as indexed January 1, 2025; indexed each January 1 |
| Trent Lakes | $8,777 | B2024-083, B2024-084, B2024-085, B2024-091 | As of April 2, 2026 |
| North Kawartha | No township charge listed; the Township collects the County charge and two education charges | None listed | Current Township page |
| Asphodel-Norwood | Five service charges (roads, fire, parks and recreation, library, waste diversion), with rates set in each by-law | 2023-64 to 2023-68 | Passed December 12, 2023 |
| Otonabee-South Monaghan | By-law 2020-60 expired; confirm with the Township whether a replacement is in force | 2020-60 | Expired December 15, 2025 |
Trent Lakes lists the County charge and education charges of $1,246 (KPR District School Board) and $524 (PVNCC District School Board) on top of its own. Douro-Dummer lists the same education charges and points to the County for its charge. For a home over 103 m², those charges total $22,934 in Douro-Dummer and $24,495 in Trent Lakes.
Servicing a Peterborough lot: City water and sewer or well and septic
On a City lot, Peterborough Utilities gives a written estimate for the water connection, including frontage, development, inspection and restoration charges. The estimate is valid for 30 days and is paid in full before the work is scheduled. Under the City's Sewer By-law 15-075, a sewer connection needs a permit and a fee, and the City installs the connection on public property at the owner's expense unless the Director consents to the owner doing it. On a County lot, the site trades quote the well and septic, and Selwyn Township notes that drinking water from private homes can be tested for free.
Development charges, the water or sewer connection, or a well and septic: on your lot, these decide the rest of the budget. Get them scoped against your address before you commit.
How We Verified
| What we checked | Primary source | Date checked |
|---|---|---|
| Model sizes, bedrooms, bathrooms, starting prices and the per-square-foot comparison | My Own Cottage, live catalogue | September 27, 2026 |
| City development charges, area charges and education charges | City of Peterborough, Development Charges | September 27, 2026 |
| City full by-law rate of $68,604 | City of Peterborough, By-law 25-100 | September 27, 2026 |
| Council's 50% reduction of June 15, 2026 | City of Peterborough, Council overview, August 10, 2026 | September 27, 2026 |
| City water services development charge | City of Peterborough, Water Utility Rates Schedule | September 27, 2026 |
| City building permit fee, administrative fee, gross area and Class 4 sewage permit fee | City of Peterborough, Building Services and Permits | September 27, 2026 |
| City septic applications | City of Peterborough, Septic Systems | September 27, 2026 |
| City sewer connection permit | City of Peterborough, Sewer By-law 15-075 | September 27, 2026 |
| City water connection estimates | Peterborough Utilities Commission, Conditions of Service | September 27, 2026 |
| The eight County townships | Peterborough County, Townships | September 27, 2026 |
| Township building inspections | Peterborough County, Township Building Inspections | September 27, 2026 |
| Township building permit fees (all eight townships) | Each township's fee by-law or schedule, linked in the permit fee table above | September 27, 2026 |
| Township septic inspections | Peterborough County, Sewage and Septic Inspections | September 27, 2026 |
| County development charge | Peterborough County, Development Charges | September 27, 2026 |
| Cavan Monaghan development charges | Cavan Monaghan, By-law 2026-47, Schedule B | September 27, 2026 |
| Douro-Dummer development and education charges | Douro-Dummer, Development Charges | September 27, 2026 |
| Douro-Dummer sewage permits and Otonabee Conservation approval | Douro-Dummer, Building and Sewage System Permits | September 27, 2026 |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen development charges | Havelock-Belmont-Methuen, By-law 2025-043 | September 27, 2026 |
| Selwyn development charge | Selwyn Township, 2025 Development Charges Update Study | September 27, 2026 |
| Selwyn septic authority and well water testing | Selwyn Township, Private Water and Wastewater Systems | September 27, 2026 |
| Selwyn wards | Selwyn Township, Local Government | September 27, 2026 |
| Trent Lakes development, County and education charges | Trent Lakes, Development Charges | September 27, 2026 |
| North Kawartha charges collected and permit by-law | North Kawartha, Building Department | September 27, 2026 |
| Asphodel-Norwood development charge by-laws | Asphodel-Norwood, Planning Department | September 27, 2026 |
| Otonabee-South Monaghan expired development charge by-law | Otonabee-South Monaghan, By-law 2020-60 | September 27, 2026 |
| Otonabee Conservation member municipalities | Otonabee Conservation, Board and Governance | September 27, 2026 |
| Kawartha Conservation members | Kawartha Conservation, Governance | September 27, 2026 |
| Havelock-Belmont-Methuen and North Kawartha on the Crowe Valley Conservation board | Crowe Valley Conservation, Board Members | September 27, 2026 |
| Conservation authorities consolidated from February 1, 2027 | Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Bill 97 (Royal Assent) | September 27, 2026 |
| Otonabee Conservation 2026 Proposal Inquiry fee | Otonabee Conservation, Permit Fees | September 27, 2026 |
| Otonabee Conservation inquiry response time | Otonabee Conservation, Online Inquiries | September 27, 2026 |
| Builder licence lookup | Ontario Builder Directory | September 27, 2026 |
| Builder licensing moved from Tarion to the HCRA on February 1, 2021 | HCRA, news release, February 1, 2021 | September 27, 2026 |
Peterborough custom home FAQ
What does the starting price include for a home in Peterborough?
My Own Cottage's preconfigured models start at $229,500 for the structure and delivery to your Peterborough lot. Foundation, site preparation, servicing, permits, municipal charges and turnkey finishing are quoted separately against the lot.
Is there a price per square foot for a custom home in Peterborough?
My Own Cottage doesn't quote a price per square foot, because pricing tracks specification rather than floor area. Two of our models of near-identical size sit 1.7 times apart per square foot. Preconfigured models start at $229,500 for structure and delivery, with site work, permits and municipal charges quoted against your lot.
Did the City of Peterborough cut development charges in 2026?
Yes. On June 15, 2026, Peterborough City Council approved a 50% cut to residential development charges for three years. The City lists $34,302.00 per single detached home from March 30, 2026 to July 1, 2029, half the $68,604 set in By-law 25-100.
What should you check on a Peterborough lot before you buy it?
Check whether the lot is in the City of Peterborough or a County township, because that decides who issues the permits and which development charges apply. Then check whether it has municipal water and sewer or needs a well and septic, and whether a conservation authority, such as Otonabee Conservation or Kawartha Conservation, regulates it. For the full set of land checks before you firm an offer, see the land checks in our build sequence guide.
How do you get a quote from a custom home builder in Peterborough?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation with My Own Cottage and bring your lot address, plus your survey if you have one. The model's starting price is published, and the foundation, site preparation and servicing are quoted separately against your lot and set in the agreement before the build.
How do you start a custom home build in Peterborough?
Start with your lot's address. Bring it, and your survey if you have one, to a free consultation, and ask us the same five questions you would ask any of the custom home builders Peterborough buyers shortlist.
Our facility: 12 Lankin Blvd #3, Orillia, ON L3V 7B6 · 1 (705) 345-9337 · [email protected]
Sean Stevenson is Chief Marketing Officer and Buyer Experience Lead at My Own Cottage Inc., an HCRA-licensed, Tarion-enrolled prefab home and cottage builder based in Orillia, Ontario.
For five years, Sean has worked alongside the company's build team, guiding Ontario buyers from lot assessment and budgeting beyond the model price through zoning, permits, development charges and final occupancy. Sean focuses on the part most buyers underestimate: what a prefab home costs to complete once the foundation, servicing and approvals are added to the model price.