Corvallis Parks and Recreation System Development Charges (SDCs)

Parks and Recreation System Development Charges (SDCs)

Parks & Recreation SDCs Info Handout

System Development Charges (SDCs) are one- time fees charged to new development to help pay a portion of the costs associated with building capital facilities required to meet demands generated by growth. State law allows SDCs to be collected for transportation, water, sewer, stormwater, and parks and recreation facilities.

The City’s Parks and Recreation SDC Methodology was originally updated in 2022 through a multi-year process facilitated by staff and consultants, with input from multiple advisory committees. In February 2026, the City Council adopted a supplemental update to the methodology that refines and replaces key components of the 2022 approach. This update includes a focused project list reflecting improvements most feasible over the next decade, updated growth and level-of-service analyses, and the introduction of a reimbursement fee. The reimbursement fee reflects available capacity in the existing parks system and allows a portion of SDC revenue to be used for improvements in existing parks and trails, alongside growth-related expansion projects. These updates improve alignment between system needs, community priorities, and funding eligibility.

The SDC Methodology evaluates current system capacity, or Level of Service, against the desired future Level of Service based on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and projected growth. The methodology calculates a maximum allowable SDC for each type of development based on its proportionate impact on the parks system. Different rates are charged to Single Family, Multi-Family, Accessory Dwelling Unit, and Non-Residential or Commercial development types.

Under the updated methodology, all Parks SDCs are calculated using a single dollar-per-residential-equivalent (RE) rate. Each development type is assigned a Residential Equivalent factor that reflects its relative demand on the parks system. For example, a single-family dwelling unit has an RE factor of 2.381, meaning its SDC is calculated by multiplying the RE rate by 2.381. A multifamily unit has an RE factor of 1.693, and an accessory dwelling unit has a factor of 1.004.

Non-residential and commercial development types also use Residential Equivalent (RE) factors based on employment density. Each employee is counted as 0.109 of a residential equivalent, with employment density determined by the development’s Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) category (www.SICCODE.com). For these uses, the Parks SDC is calculated by applying the RE rate to the number of employees generated by the development, which is determined by multiplying the per-employee factor by the gross floor area associated with the applicable SIC land-use category. This approach ensures that all non-residential development contributes proportionately to the parks system capacity needed to serve future employees.

Fees are collected at the time of application for a building permit and administered through the Community Development Department.
Additional information on City of Corvallis System Development Charges can be found at: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/ds/page/system-development-charges-sdcs.

• 2022 Park System Development Methodology Charge Update

• 2026 Parks System Development Methodology Charge Update