Land use categories
Update the land use categories from three (Non-Residential, Commercial and S Block) to two: Residential and Non-Residential.
Non-Residential uses include Commercial, S Block, and Institutional.
PUBLIC HEARING. March 17, 2026, at 1:30 PM.
Share your thoughts with Council on the proposed 2026 Off-Site Levies Bylaw.
The Municipality of Jasper will hold a Public Hearing to receive feedback on the proposed 2026 Off-Site Levies Bylaw during a regular meeting of Town Council:
- When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at 1:30 PM
- Where: Jasper Library & Cultural Centre (Downstairs), 500 Robson Street, Jasper, AB
The Public Hearing provides an opportunity for residents, leaseholders, developers, and other interested parties to present comments, ask questions, or share concerns directly with Council before a final decision is made.
Click here to view a copy of the proposed 2026 Off-Site Levies Bylaw.
Drop-in open houses
Two drop-in open houses about the Off-Site Levies Bylaw Update were hosted in January 2026.
Thursday, January 29, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Location: 631 Patricia Street, upstairs from the Jasper Employment Centre, Pyramid Boardroom
Friday, January 30, 2026
- Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
- Location: 631 Patricia Street, upstairs from the Jasper Employment Centre, Pyramid Boardroom
Click here to view the display panels from the drop-in open houses.
Bylaw update: Why now?
The current bylaw has not been updated since 2015, and existing levy rates do not reflect current construction costs. The bylaw update will also ensure rates are based on clear, data-driven analyses to ensure fair and sustainable infrastructure funding.
Goals of the update
The bylaw update will:
- Keep costs fair so that new private development will fund the required public infrastructure improvements.
- Base updates on findings of technical reports.
- Reflect a real-word assessment of Jasper’s infrastructure needs and growth projections.
- Establish a clear and defensible framework for calculating off-site levies.
Our progress
To gain a better understanding of Jasper’s infrastructure needs, the Municipality of Jasper engaged ISL Engineering and Land Services Ltd. to prepare two documents:
These technical reports identify:
- Existing infrastructure capacity.
- Locations where upgrades or expansions to infrastructure will be needed to support new development.
- A methodology for distributing the associated capital costs of public infrastructure improvements through off-site levies in a transparent and equitable manner.
We also held two building industry-focused engagement sessions (one online and one in-person) with local builders, contractors, and other industry stakeholders. We heard that:
- Support exists for fair cost recovery of new private development impacts on public infrastructure.
- Support exists for transparent off-site levy examples and calculators.
- Clarity is needed on whether off-site levies are required for new staff accommodation units on commercial lands (for hotels).
- Clarity is needed on when off-site levies are required and returned during the development process, as well as on indexing mechanics.
Proposed changes
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Structure of levy rates
The Residential levy rate structure changes from per ft2 to per dwelling-unit.
The Non-Residential levy rate structure remains the same, using per ft2.
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Improved clarity
The proposed bylaw includes clearer policies for the administration around off-site levies and refunds for unbuilt or expired permits.
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Consumer Price Index
The proposed bylaw requires levy rates to be updated annually on March 1 to reflect changes in the Consumer Price Index. Updated levy rates will be shared publicly. This ensures levy rates align with current construction costs.
Note: The Consumer Price Index is a way to measure how the prices of everyday goods and services like food, housing, and transportation change over time. It helps track inflation and shows how the cost of living is increasing or decreasing.
Levy rates
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Residential
The Residential levy rate changes from $1.93 per ft2 to $4,286.36 per dwelling unit. The change better aligns infrastructure costs with service demands per household, and the levy applies to net new dwelling units.
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Non-Residential
A Non-Residential levy rate of $5.53 per ft2 is added to replace the Commercial levy rate of $2.57 per ft2 and the S Block levy rate of $1.27 per ft2. The levy applies to new non-residential gross floor area.
Note: Dwelling unit means two or more rooms connected as a separate unit in the same structure and constituting an independent unit for residential occupancy. Dwelling units include both primary and accessory units (secondary suites, garage suites and garden suites). Net new dwelling unit means the addition of a new dwelling unit to the existing housing stock.
Background information
An off-site levy:
- Is a one-time charge on new private development to fund public infrastructure improvements.
- Covers the cost to increase the capacity of water, wastewater, and stormwater facilities.
- Is collected in addition to other fees tied to Development Permits and Building Permits.
Off-site levies collected are set aside in a reserve fund to pay for public infrastructure improvements required for new private development such as:
- Water (reservoirs, mains, and treatment).
- Wastewater (sanitary systems, lift stations, and treatment upgrades).
- Stormwater (pipes, culverts, outfalls, and drainage works).
Growth pays for growth
New private development helps fund the water, wastewater, and stormwater systems it relies on.
Fair and transparent
Off-site levies ensure costs are shared fairly and not placed on existing taxpayers.
Supports sustainable growth
Funds are reinvested into public infrastructure that keeps pace with new housing and business demand.
Protects municipal finances
Without levies, major infrastructure upgrades would rely on property taxes or utility rate increases.
Leaseholders are charged off-site levies:
- After Development Permits are approved and before Building Permits are issued (if Parks Canada approved the Development Permit).
- At a time specified in the approved Development Permit or Development Agreement (if the Municipality of Jasper approved the Development Permit or Development Agreement).
Off-site levies are only returned to leaseholders if:
- Dwelling units or amount of non-residential floor area are not built for an issued Occupancy Permit.
- A Building Permit expires and no construction has occurred.
No interest will be calculated or payable by the Municipality of Jasper to the leaseholder.
No, off-site levies do not discourage housing. When set correctly, off-site levies balance affordability with the need to maintain reliable public infrastructure.
Off-site levies ensure Jasper can grow responsibly without overburdening existing residents.
The off-site levies bylaw needs to be updated to:
- Reflect current costs related to public infrastructure improvements.
- Provide more transparent documentation on how rates are calculated.
- Be based on supportive engineering studies that inform levy rates.
If the new bylaw is adopted, Council will decide when the new off-site levy fees take effect.
