DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES 10 Year Tax Exemption Waiver of DCCs for Non-Profit Housing Units Reduced DCCs ($299 per unit) $10,000 Per Residential Unit
PRINCE GEORGE DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVES PRINCE GEORGE ECONOMIC SNAPSHOT British Columbia City of Prince George Downtown Prince George C1 Zone Prince George, British Columbia, with a population of 74,003, is the largest city in the region of nearly 320,000 people that it serves. Prince George averaged 2.2 per cent growth between 2012 and 2016 and is forecast to make further gains with real GDP rising by 1.5 per cent in 2017 and 1.8 per cent in 2018. The City s skilled workforce and diversified business sectors offer a range of opportunities for new business investment across the expanding economy. It is the supply and service centre for business, industry, transportation, healthcare, education and culture for the greater region. 73% of all proposed capital investments in BC are expected to occur in the northern region. Population/Demographics: People employed: 47,100 Unemployment rate: 6.5% Average home price: $297,185 Median family income: $102,080 Building permits: $127.9 million Airport traffic: 462,007 City of Prince George: 74,003 City of Prince George (CA): 86,622 Population under the age of 55: 73% (versus 70% for BC) Regional District of Fraser-Fort George: 94,506 Northern BC trading area: 318,708 Photo Credit: UNBC/Tim Swanky Prince George Statistics: Page 2 www.investprincegeorge.ca
OVERVIEW OF INCENTIVES DOWNTOWN INCENTIVES Downtown Incentives Program: The Program offers 10 year tax exemptions for eligible commercial and multi-family development in the downtown. In addition to this, the Program offers a grant of $10,000 per door for each new multi-family residential dwelling constructed in the downtown. Low Development Cost Charges (DCCs): DCCs in the downtown are some of the lowest in the province: TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT DCC Multi-Family Medium to High Density $229.00 per unit Commercial $2.85 per m 2 Institutional $2.10 per m 2 Industrial $5,282.00 per hectare Parking Exemptions: Parking requirements are waived for new developments in the majority of the downtown area. Flexible Zoning: C1: Downtown zone offers flexibility by allowing for a wide variety of compatible uses (offices, hotels, housing, retail, restaurants, personal services, recreation, etc.). MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING INCENTIVES Multi-Family Housing Incentives Program: The program offers tax exemptions and reductions in development cost charges for eligible multifamily developments (3 or more attached units) that are located in key growth areas. SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING INCENTIVES Secondary Suites: Suites are permitted in all single-family dwellings in Prince George. Narrow Lot Housing: The City pre-zoned specific neighbourhoods in 2014 to accommodate the development of single-family dwellings on narrow, infill lots. DCC Reductions for Small Lot Subdivisions: The City offers reduced DCCs for eligible small-lot subdivisions. Photo: Ema Peter www.investprincegeorge.ca Page 3
DOWNTOWN INCENTIVES PROGRAM The City of Prince George s Downtown Incentives Program offers incentives for new multi-family, commercial, mixed use and green development, and improvements to existing development in downtown Prince George. Revitalization Tax Exemption Program The City of Prince George Downtown Revitalization Tax Exemption Bylaw provides 10-year municipal tax exemptions for projects that meet the criteria set out in Tables A, B and C. Northern Development Initiative Trust Community Revitalization Program Through an innovative program developed through a partnership between Northern Development Initiative Trust and the City of Prince George, an additional incentive is available for projects that meet the criteria set out in Table A (b) or (c), Table B (e) or Table C (f): Housing Contribution Program Contributions of $10,000 per unit are available for residential and mixed use projects that meet the criteria set out in Table A (b) or (c), payable to the property owner on issuance of an occupancy permit. QUALIFYING CRITERIA: REVITALIZATION TAX EXEMPTION AND RTE EARLY BENEFIT PROGRAM Table A Revitalization Tax Exemption for Residential and Mixed Use Development Description Residential Development Area A: Medium density mixed use or high density multi-family development Area B: Medium density multi-family development Minimum Investment (a) $50,000 (b) $500,000 (c) $500,000 Location Area A & B Area A Area B Improvements Any construction or upgrade Any new construction Any new construction Exemption 100% of increase in assessed value of improvements over previous calendar year 100% of assessed value of land and improvements 100% of assessed value of improvements Table B Revitalization Tax Exemption for Commercial Development Description Commercial Development Minimum Investment (d) $50,000 (e) $500,000 Location Area A Area A Improvements Any construction or upgrade Any new construction Exemption 100% of increase in assessed value of improvements over previous calendar year 50% of assessed value of land and 100% of assessed value of improvements. Table C Revitalization Tax Exemption for LEED Certified Development and Exterior Improvements Description LEED Certified Development Exterior Improvements Minimum Investment (f) $500,000 (g) $20,000 Location Area A & B Area A Improvements LEED certified developments Any exterior improvement Exemption 100% of assessed value of land and improvements 100% of the value of the improvement approved by the City Minimum investment = Minimum qualifying value of project, derived from building permit. In all cases, the exemption granted includes municipal taxes only for a 10 year period with no decline in benefit. High density multi-family = Minimum 3 residential units and density 90 units per ha. Medium density multi-family = Minimum 3 residential units and density 20 < 90 units per ha. Medium density mixed-use = Mixed use development with minimum 3 residential units and density 20 < 90 units per ha. Page 4 www.investprincegeorge.ca
DOWNTOWN INCENTIVES PROGRAM ELIGIBLE AREAS Yellowhead Highway 16 14 Minutes to YXS Airport Yellowhead Highway 16 6 Minutes to Highway 97 www.investprincegeorge.ca Page 5
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING INCENTIVES PROGRAM OVERVIEW The table below outlines the incentives that are available to multi-family residential development located in Primary and Secondary Growth Areas (green and red areas shown on the map). Primary Growth Area 10 Year Tax Exemption (100% exemption on the municipal portion of taxes due on the increase in the assessed value of improvements over the previous year) Waiver of DCCs for Non-Profit Housing Units Reduced DCCs ($229 per unit) for Low Environmental Impact projects Secondary Growth Area 5 Year Tax Exemption (100% exemption on the municipal portion of taxes due on the increase in the assessed value of improvements over the previous year) Waiver of DCCs for Non-Profit Housing Units ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS In order to be eligible, projects must include 3 or more attached units and must meet the requirements outlined in the table below: 5 or 10 Year Tax Exemption Reduced DCCs ($229 per unit) for Low Environmental Impact Minimum Construction Value of $300,000. 50% of dwellings must meet the Adaptable Housing Standards. Individual units must include balconies or access to a shared green space. At least 3 of 4 exterior design standards must be met. All of the eligibility requirements for the 5 or 10 year tax exemption must be met. Minimum density of 50 dwellings per hectare. Low Flow Fixtures throughout the building. Water Efficient Landscaping or Xeriscaping. Waiver of DCCs for Non-Profit Housing Units All of the eligibility requirements for the 5 or 10 year tax exemption must be met. DCCs are waived for individual dwellings that are managed by non-profits where the property owner enters into a covenant with the City restricting the tenure to non-profit housing for 10 years. HOW TO CALCULATE Annual Tax Exemption = [(Post-Development AVI Pre-Development AVI) * (tax rate on municipal portion of taxes)] 1000 *AVI=Assessed Value of Improvements Development Cost Charges for Low Environmental Impact = ($229 * Number of Dwellings) Photo: PG Listings Page 6 www.investprincegeorge.ca
MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING INCENTIVES PROGRAM ELIGIBLE AREAS Hart Neighbourhood City Centre College Heights Neighbourhood www.investprincegeorge.ca Page 7
City of Prince George - Planning and Development devserv@princegeorge.ca Tel. 250.561.7611 City of Prince George - Economic Development 1100 Patricia Blvd. Prince George, British Columbia, Canada V2L 3V9 Tel. 250.561.7633 www.investprincegeorge.ca