As part of the review, we are creating a new methodology, calculation and off-site levy rates. You will have the opportunity to provide feedback on them during public engagement. This will run from September 18 until October 6. You will find more information about the project and can provide feedback on the engagement portal page.

Off-site Levy Bylaw review definitions

August 2021 – Industry meeting presentation – New strategic approach

September 2021 – Industry meeting presentation – Leviable land considerations

June 2022 – Industry meeting presentation, participant feedback

The Centre City Levy supports growth, quality of life and resiliency in the Centre City Plan Area. The levy consists of two components:

1. The utility portion through the Centre City Levy Bylaw (Bylaw 38M2009).
2. The voluntary community services portion under Council resolution (as per report LPT2010-03).

On Feb. 8, 2010, through report LPT2010-03 the Centre City Levy rates were adjusted to the current rates.

Levy funds may be used towards the following:

• All or part of the capital costs of the construction, upgrading and replacement of water and sanitary sewer mains required for or impacted by a proposed subdivision or development in the Centre City Plan Area.
• Community or recreation infrastructure (Transit, Fire, Police, recreational facilities, and library facilities).
• Active transportation infrastructure (pedestrian overpasses and underpasses, bikeways, and sidewalks).
• Upgrading local parks, regional pathways, and regional parks.
• The 13 Avenue Greenway.

Developers pay off-site levies in two areas, the greenfield (newly developing communities) and Established Area (existing communities). To see the Established Area boundaries, please see Map 1: 2016 Map of Established Area and Greenfield Area (by Watershed) within the Off-site Levy Annual Report 2020.

Within the greenfield area, levies are typically administered through a Development Agreement , as a condition of Subdivision approval. These levies are paid over the course of 3 years, with the first payment due one year after the execution of the Development Agreement. The portion of levies paid is made as follows:

• 1st payment = 30% of total levies owing
• 2nd payment = 30% of total levies owing
• 3rd payment = 40% of total levies owing

Within the Established Area, levies can be paid in two ways:

1. Prior to the release of a development permit (DP).
2. Prior to the release of a development completion permit (DCP). This option requires the landowner to enter into an off-site levy agreement prior to release of the DP.

An Off-site Levy Payment Form is provided after the DP is approved and needs to be completed and submitted with the applicable levy payment. It is generally preferred that off-site levy agreements are reserved for projects with large off-site levy balances owing, due to the additional time required to execute them.

The Off-site Levy and Centre City Levy annual reports below provide information on levies collected and spent, along with any remaining balances available for future capital investment.

Through the Municipal Government Act (MGA), The City can set an Off-site Levy Bylaw.

The Off-site Levies Bylaw was unanimously approved by City Council on Jan. 11, 2016, and amended on Dec. 31, 2019. The City conducted thorough partner consultation with members of the land development and home building industry to ensure a transparent and fair process in developing the new bylaw.

Some of the required infrastructure to support new communities was not included in the 2016 Off-site Levies Bylaw. The following amendments were necessary to ensure a funding source exists for the new infrastructure.

• Nov. 12, 2018 - Council approved an amendment (Bylaw 41M2018) to incorporate the developer’s proportionate share of the cost of off-site transportation and utility infrastructure attributable to the new communities previously approved by Council.
• Dec. 31, 2018 - The proposed amendments came into effect.
• Oct. 21, 2019 - Council approved an amendment to include the Community Services charges, as outlined in Schedule C to Bylaw 2M2016. This amendment was a legislative requirement from the City Charter.
• Dec. 31, 2019 - The approved amendments came into effect.

If you are looking for a copy of the 2016 Off-site Levies Bylaw background report, you can find it in the “Documents” section above. You can also find links to previous amendment reports that were presented to Council, the MGA and The City of Calgary Charter.

Links to web pages with more information about related City policies and growth strategies can be found in the “Related links” section above.