Offsite Levy Review 2026

The City of Lethbridge is reviewing the Offsite Levy Bylaw to establish new rates for 2027–2030.

Input from land development stakeholders and interested community members is an important part of this process. This page provides background information, consultation updates, and opportunities for you to provide input as the review progresses.

What is an Offsite Levy?

An Offsite Levy is a funding tool the City uses to help pay for the major infrastructure needed to support new development—such as water, wastewater, stormwater, and road systems.

The City constructs large-scale shared infrastructure while developers build local systems within their neighbourhoods. This ensures the costs of growth infrastructure are fairly distributed between developers and future property owners.

The current Offsite Levy rate is $318,000 per hectare, which is approximately $26,500 per single residential lot. Funds collected through Offsite Levies have supported projects such as Métis Trail, the Garry Water Reservoir, the Bridge Drive Sanitary Sewer, and Whoop-Up Drive Twinning.

For more background see the Offsite Levy Bylaw and Offsite Levy Reference documents.

Purpose of the review

The current Offsite Levy Bylaw applies through the end of 2026. New rates and an updated framework are required for the 2027–2030 period.

As required by Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA), the City must consult with stakeholders during this process. The existing framework, first established in 2004, has served the community well but now requires a comprehensive update to reflect current development patterns, legislation, and infrastructure priorities.

Through this review, the City will:

1. Update the list of levy-supported projects based on the Underground Infrastructure Master Plan and Transportation Master Plan.
2. Examine approaches to applying levies within different development areas.
3. Consider expanding levies to include fire halls, recreation facilities, police stations, and libraries, as permitted by the MGA.
4. Review different levy collection methods (e.g., area-based or unit-based).
5. Evaluate timing and funding strategies for growth-related infrastructure investments.

The outcome will be a revised Offsite Levy framework and updated bylaw structure to guide how Lethbridge funds and delivers growth infrastructure.

How to Participate

The City is consulting with stakeholders in several ways:

1. Stakeholder meetings with land developers and related consultants.
2. Online feedback using this Get Involved platform.

If you are interested in participating or wish to receive updates:

1. Complete the Stakeholder Sign-Up Form below to provide your contact information.
2. Review background materials posted on this page.
3. Use the Feedback Form to share comments or suggestions.

Meeting notes, presentation slides, and supporting documents will be added to this page as the review progresses.