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Information
# Off-site levies bylaw and current rates
# Off-site Levies Bylaw and current rates
## Information | Off-site Levies Bylaw
We're currently collecting input on proposed changes to the Off-site Levies Bylaw to update how new communities are paid for. A public update is coming soon - stay informed and engaged at engage.calgary.ca/offsitelevies2026
More information
## Off-site Levies Bylaw
---
The Off-site Levies Bylaw was updated and approved by City Council on Jan. 16, 2024. The City worked closely with interested parties from the land development and home building industry.
View the Off-site Levies Bylaw, Backgrounder Report and current rate calculations.
* ### Off-site Levies Bylaw
* ### Off-site Levies Bylaw Background Report
* ### Off-site Levies rates
View all documents
## How off-site levy rates are determined
---
To ensure the Off-site Levies Bylaw and charges are current, The City periodically reviews them. This helps incorporate changes in infrastructure needs and costs, to legislation, or the economy or pace of development. The charges are divided amongst the hectares of developable land. The diagram below outlines the process in Calgary.
*Hover over the image and click the screen icon in the top right corner to view fullscreen.*
### Infogram description
Off-site levies stages:
1. Review
* Existing Off-site
Levies Bylaw
* Current context
(legislative,
economic, policies)
* Opportunities for
improvement
* Guiding principles
2. Update
* Where is Calgary
growing (how
much, how fast)?
* What infrastructure
will we need for
growth?
* How much will
it cost (including
capital costs,
financing costs and
inflation)?
* What proportion of
the infrastructure
use and cost is
attributed to new
growth?
3. Public advertising and input
* New or revised
bylaw(s) to enable the collection of
levies
* Report to
Committee
4. Present and approve
* Public Hearing
of Council
* Council direction
* Three readings of
the bylaw(s)
5. Implement
* Adopt the new
bylaw(s)
* Apply new levy
rates to new
development
applications
* Collect levy funds
6. Fund
* Gain budget
approval
for growth-related capital
infrastructure
projects
* Fund approved
projects
* Pay down debt
from completed
levy-eligible
projects
* Save for future
projects
7. Monitor
* Ongoing
stewardship and
governance of
levy funds
* Annual levy
reporting
Stages 1 and 2 require the consultation of interested parties under the Municipal Government Act.
Stages 3, 4, and 5 require Advertising and a Public Hearing under the Municipal Government Act.
Stages 6 and 7 fall under City governance.
---
## Greenfield off-site levies
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A Greenfield Area is undeveloped land that can be used for building commercial, residential, or industrial projects.
A large part of Calgary is called the Greenfield Area. This is land on the edges of the city that hasn't been developed yet. New communities are expected to be built, which will affect the infrastructure around them. This can mean more pressure on major roads, the sewage system and higher demand for recreation and services like police and fire protection.
The City and developers share a part of the cost of off-site infrastructure in new communities. This funding helps build the infrastructure needed for vibrant communities. The developers' part of the off-site levy supports new growth, while The City pays for the infrastructure that benefits existing residents and the remainder of the cost.
Learn more about The City's investment in new communities
### How we calculate the greenfield levy
The Greenfield off-site levies are calculated by adding up the cost of the infrastructure needed for 10 business and home essentials. This cost is then adjusted based on how much new growth benefits from these essentials, shown as a percentage.
The levy rate per hectare is found by dividing the adjusted cost by the remaining land area that hasn't been levied yet.
The Background Report explains the off-site levies calculation method in more detail. It also includes the growth assumptions, infrastructure projects and cost estimates that support the off-site levies rates.
### Click to expand for plain text
The Greenfield off-site levies are calculated by totaling the cost of the infrastructure needed to deliver the 10 business and home essentials, then scaling it by the degree to which new growth benefits from these essentials, expressed as a percentage.
The levy rate per hectare is then determined by dividing the scaled cost by the remaining unlevied land area to get the final levy rate per hectare.
### Greenfield levy spending
According to the Municipal Government Act, off-site levies are collected and tracked by infrastructure type and can't be used for other types. For example, money collected for transit buses must be spent on transit buses and can't be used for wastewater infrastructure. Often, off-site levies cover part of the cost, with the rest coming from other city funding sources.
The City provides annual reporting of levies collections and expenditures.
The following project summaries show the infrastructure projects that are expected to be funded by the Greenfield off-site levies. They include the type of infrastructure, project description, project need and the estimated total cost.
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## Established Area levies
---
The City of Calgary collects levies in the Established Area from developers building new buildings.
**These funds pay for two business and home essentials:**
* 
###
Clean and safe drinking water
* 
Flush toilets, drain sinks and bathtubs
Starting in March 2024, the City is offering a three-year cost-sharing program for developers. The Established Area Linear Levy Pilot will accept submissions until September 1, 2026. The pilot aims to boost housing in the Established Area by contributing to water and wastewater upgrade costs.
Learn more about The City's Established Area Growth and Change Strategy
### Established Area levies rates and payment
Within the Established Area, levies can be paid in two ways:
* Prior to the release of a development permit.
* Prior to the release of a development completion permit. *This option requires the landowner to enter into an off-site levies agreement prior to release of the development permit.*
View current off-site levy rates
### How we calculate the established area levy
Similar to the Greenfield off-site levies, The City consulted with interested parties before deciding on how to define and address current and future infrastructure needs in the Established Area and set the levy rates.
The information presented to the development industry members during the consultation process is available here.
### Established area levy spending
Similar to the off-site levies in the Greenfield Area, levies in the Established Area are collected and tracked by infrastructure type and can't be used for other types. Off-site levies cover part of the cost, with the rest coming from other city funding sources.
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## Frequently asked questions
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### What is the process of levy funding allocation? How do city departments utilize the funds?
Corporate-wide capital investment priorities are determined through The City's budget process. Once Council approves the budget, off-site levies are allocated and spent, in alignment with the Off-site Levies Bylaw.
### Are levies the only dedicated tool to fund growth infrastructure in the Greenfield Area The City uses currently?
Yes. The levies fund growth infrastructure at the percentage the Greenfield benefits from the new infrastructure built. The City funds any remaining portion with other funding sources (mainly taxes, utility rates and grants from other orders of government).
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This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the various bylaws, codes and regulations currently in effect. The City of Calgary accepts no responsibility to persons relying solely on this information. Web pages are updated periodically.
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