Off-Site Levies Regulation

Off-site levies remain one of the largest costs associated with developing land and ultimately building and buying homes. As an industry, we have supported paying a fair share of hard infrastructure costs but BILD Alberta members continue to hold concerns with respect to the stewardship and governance of off-site levy funds as well as corresponding accounting, financial reporting, and project management practices. New levies associated with recreation centres, fire halls, police stations and libraries will potentially add thousands of dollars to every lot and home.

BILD Alberta recently submitted a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs to advocate amendments to the Off-Site Levies Regulation on the following topics:

• Removal of off-site levy and inclusionary housing powers from City Charters to ensure consistent and predictable rules for cities, investors, and employers across Alberta.
• Require proper cost accounting of municipal revenues in determining degree of benefit to prevent double taxation.
• Clarity for calculating degree of benefit for facilities.
• Requiring cost-conscious decisions on facility design and construction.
• Further enhanced mechanism for municipal transparency, disclosure, and oversight.
• Clearer interpretation of the MGA requirements.

BILD Alberta will continue to hold meetings with Municipal Affairs to bring these issues into fruition.