Community Amenity Contributions
Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) are voluntary financial contributions by a development applicant to a municipality at the time of rezoning a property. The financial contribution is to assist the municipality in building and expanding amenities such as, a conference and entertainment centre, recreation facilities and affordable housing. CACs are intended to offset the cost of providing community amenities associated with increased development densities.
On December 12, 2022, Council updated the Community Amenity Contributions (CAC) Policy.
Key changes include:
- Updated list of Community Amenities
- Improved regional parity and competitiveness
- Established a new Climate Action Fund
- Introduced a flat rate density bonus CAC
- Introduced amenity contributions for Commercial, Agriculture, Industrial, Mixed Employment and Rural uses
See Table 1 for new CAC target contribution amounts. For further information see the December 12, 2022 Report to Council.
For full details of the CAC program, see the Community Amenity Contributions Policy.
Base CACs
The per unit target contribution amounts apply to all new residential development that requires Council’s approval of a rezoning application. The base CACs apply to all units including those within the base density and those above the planned density.
| Timing and Phasing of CAC Target Contribution Amounts | Community Amenity Contributions per Dwelling Unit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Family* | Townhouse/ Rowhouse/ Duplex1 | Low Rise Apartment2 | Mid-High Rise Apartment3 | Required Amenity Contribution4 | |
| January 1 to April 30, 2023 |
$11,854 | $10,088 | $7,770 | $6,504 | See section 5.1 |
| After May 1, 2023 | $16,900 | $14,400 | $11,000 | $9,500 | See section 5.1 |
*New Single Family – per lot
1Townhouse / Rowhouse / Duplex or other ground-oriented dwelling unit
2Low Rise Apartment (6 storeys or less)
3Mid-High Rise Apartment (7 storeys or more)
4Section 5.1 of Council Policy No. 07-166
Density Bonus
For residential development that exceeds planned densities in the Official Community Plan (OCP), the CAC target contribution amounts are set out in the table below. Note that base CACs apply to all units including those within the base density and those above the planned density.
| Residential Type | Target Amenity Contribution |
|---|---|
| Apartments (12 storeys or less) | $20 per ft² |
| Apartments (13 storeys or more) | $25 per ft² |
| Townhouse | $20,000 per unit |
| Single Family | $25,000 per unit |
For major OCP amendments proposing an increase above planned densities where the lot is currently designated Agriculture, Conservation & Recreation, Industrial, Mixed Employment, or Rural, CACs will be based on a cash contribution proportional to the value being created by the increase in density.
UPA to FSR
As stated per section 1.1.f.2, where apartment densities are determined by a maximum units per acre, the contribution per ft2 will be determined as per the units per acre to floor space ratio conversion rates shown below. The tables convert the base density for apartment, townhouse, and single family from UPA to FSR.
| Max UPA | FSR |
|---|---|
| 20 | 0.47 |
| 22 | 0.52 |
| 30 | 0.71 |
| 40 | 0.95 |
| 51 | 1.21 |
| 52 | 1.23 |
| 60 | 1.42 |
| 80 | 1.90 |
| 82 | 1.95 |
| 95 | 2.26 |
| 100 | 2.37 |
| 120 | 2.85 |
| Max UPA | FSR |
|---|---|
| 10 | 0.33 |
| 12 | 0.39 |
| 15 | 0.49 |
| 15.8 | 0.52 |
| 16.8 | 0.55 |
| 20 | 0.65 |
| 22 | 0.72 |
| 25 | 0.82 |
| 30 | 0.98 |
| 40 | 1.31 |
| Max UPA | FSR |
|---|---|
| 1 | 0.07 |
| 4 | 0.29 |
| 5 | 0.36 |
| 6 | 0.44 |
| 8 | 0.58 |
| 10 | 0.73 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays CACs?
The CAC Policy applies to all new development that requires Council’s approval of a rezoning application or a land use amendment where an increase in density is proposed.
How does the CAC policy apply to my rezoning application?
Residential rezoning applications are subject to the CAC Policy and target contribution amounts as shown in Table 1 of the Policy.
When are CACs collected?
Payment of CACs will be collected prior to Fourth and Final Reading of the rezoning bylaw pursuant to a Phased Development Agreement. Alternatively, payment of CACs can also be made at the Development Permit or Building Permit stage, provided an irrevocable letter of credit is submitted to the Township.
How much revenue might the Township receive from CACs?
The Township estimates that approximately $20 million could be generated per year, based on building permit estimates, subject to housing market conditions.