Off-site levies are a tool that a municipality can use to pay for new infrastructure or the expansion of existing infrastructure required by development. Off-site levies facilitate growth,infrastructure servicing in new growth areas and helps the Town build a competitive investment environment. It identifies benefitting areas, amounts of remaining development areas, required infrastructure projects, project allocations, and project costs. Off-site levies must be authorized by bylaw.
Under the current Municipal Government Act (MGA), off-site levies can be collected for:
- New or expanded facilities for the storage, transmission, treatment or supply of water;
- New or expanded facilities for the treatment, movement or disposal of sanitary sewage;
- New or expanded storm sewer drainage facilities;
- New or expanded roads required for or impacted by a subdivision or development;
- Subject to the regulations, new or expanded transportation infrastructure required to connect, or to improve the connection of, municipal roads to provincial highways resulting from a subdivision or development;
- Land required for or in connection with any of the above-described facilities.
In addition to the capital cost of facilities above, an off-site levy may be used to pay for all or part of the capital cost for any new or expanded community recreation facilities; fire halls; police stations; or libraries, including the cost of any related accessories and any land required for or in connection with the purpose.