An off-site soft services levy is a fee charged by a municipality to developers to help fund the future costs of “soft services” the community might need, like recreational facilities and fire stations.

Off-site levies will help support the costs of new infrastructure, such as recreational facilities and fire stations in the County.

Developers will pay the off-site soft services levy as a condition of development or subdivision. They may choose to incorporate levy costs into the final price of development (new homes) built on the land.

Current residents will only be impacted if they decide to subdivide and develop their land.

The off-site soft services levy won’t be charged to existing homeowners or developments. Residents will only be impacted if they decide to subdivide and develop their land.

The project team is exploring exemptions to the off-site soft services levy, particularly within agricultural areas where at least 50 acres of land is set aside for agricultural use. Typically, the first land division from the original quarter section (commonly referred to as first parcel out) in these situations is exempt from these fees.

Specific criteria for exemptions to the bylaw will be defined throughout the engagement process and all exemptions will go to Council for final approval.

Off-site levies are governed by the Alberta Municipal Government Act. Each municipality sets its own structure by creating and enforcing an off-site soft services levy bylaw.

Off-site soft services levies can be used for fire stations, recreation centers, libraries, and police stations. Currently, Rocky View County is looking at introducing levies for new fire stations and recreation centers as outlined in the Recreation and Parks Master Plan and the Fire Services Master Plan.

Off-site soft services levy funding can be used to construct new infrastructure and to expand existing infrastructure.

The County will annually report on revenue collected, how levy funding was utilized, and collection rates, including the necessary updates to levy rates. This report will be publicly shared when it is provided to Council.

Following engagement with developers and interested residents, the project team will present their findings and various levy frameworks to Rocky View County Council for a decision on the implementation of the levy.

An Open House on the off-site soft services levy will be held on November 2 at 6 p.m. at County Hall.

During this event, the project team will discuss the off-site soft services levy framework options.

We encourage you to attend, learn more about these options, and share your valuable feedback with the project team.

The project team will consider all feedback received and incorporate it into the project where appropriate. A summary report of what we heard will be shared back with the public.