| Off-Site Levies |
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What is an off-site levy?
An off-site levy is a charge or a requirement to make a payment, established by a municipal bylaw. It is imposed as a condition of approval for some developments and subdivision. Many municipalities impose off-site levies. In Leduc County, they apply just to parts of the land in and adjacent to the Nisku Industrial Area, the Vistas and lands north of Highway 625 and Saunders Lake areas. Back to Top What is the purpose of an off-site levy? An off-site levy helps pay for road and municipal utility systems required outside or "off" the site of a development or subdivision to serve that development. Back to Top Where does the money go? How is it spent? An off-site levy may be used only to pay for all or part of the cost of any or all of the following:
These facilities, pipelines and roads may be new or expansions to existing infrastructure. In Leduc County, the off-site levies imposed in parts of the Nisku and Vistas areas contribute towards the cost of water and arterial road system improvements. At Saunders Lake, in addition to water and road levies, there is a requirement for a contribution to off-site sanitary sewer installation. Back to Top What are the projects the off-site levy is being collected for and when will they be built? The main projects funded in part by off-site levies are as follows:
The timing of the projects will be determined by the available funding, including off-site levies, and the need crequired by new subdivision and development. The most recent projects involving off-site levy funding have been:
How will I know if I have to pay an off-site levy? How do I know if it is outstanding and applies to me? The payment of an off-site levy can only be required once. It can only be required for the development or subdivision of land. The County exempts certain minor developments and subdivisions from the need to pay the levy. The area covered by the Off-Site Levy Bylaw is shown on the map below. Within this area, the off-site levy has been paid for many lots. The map also illustrates the land for which an off-site levy has not been paid. Unless covered by the exemption for minor cases, the levy will be imposed as a condition of approval of a development permit or subdivision application for those lands.  If you want to know whether an off-site levy payment will be required for a particular development or subdivision, contact Leduc County Planning and Development. Back to Top Why wasn't there a caveat on the title to warn me that an off-site levy is outstanding? Leduc County cannot register a caveat for such a purpose. Back to Top Why weren't the off-site levies paid when the lot was created or building constructed? Leduc County does not require an off-site levy in all situations--certain minor developments and subdivisions are exempt. Also, the need for a levy has changed over the years. In the case of development and subdivision many years ago, the reasons a levy was not imposed may not be clear. Back to Top How do I pay an off-site levy? You can pay the levy to Leduc County by cash or certified cheque. Back to Top How are the rates calculated? Leduc County completed engineering and financial studies of the infrastructure required to support and maintain cost effective and orderly growth. The County has allocated those costs to the lands that will benefit from the new or expanded infrastructure so that developers and people subdividing will pay an amount proportionate to the area being developed or subdivided. The County ensures that the levy rates are current by reviewing the costs of construction each year. Back to Top When does the off-site levy need to be paid? The levy must be paid upon the completion of a development agreement, prior to the commencement of development or the approval of a survey plan for registration at the Land Titles Office. If the levy exceeds $1 million, a request can be made to defer the payment over a period of two years. A formal agreement will be required in order for payment to be deferred. Back to Top |
