The City of Toronto offers developers mechanisms to contribute to the growing need of community and social infrastructure to support complete, healthy communities with a high quality of life. Community Space Tenancy (CST) is a City program that leases City-owned spaces to eligible not-for-profit organizations at below-market rates. The CST Policy works alongside Toronto’s Official Plan, zoning by-laws and development guidelines to help coordinate land use, infrastructure and services to meet residents’ needs.
CST spaces may be delivered through the Community Benefits Charge (CBC), which replaces the former Section 37 density bonusing system. CBC allows the City to collect funds or accept in-kind contribution from developers to support public facilities and services needed in a community with a new development. In-kind contributions, such as providing community space within a new building, must follow City guidelines and be approved through formal processes.
For additional information on CBC and in-kind contributions, see CBC In-Kind Guidelines.
The City uses a transparent and consistent process to evaluate in-kind contributions under the CBC framework. The process includes early engagement with City divisions, a needs assessment and a review of capital facility requirements. City divisions collaborate to ensure in-kind contributions leveraged for CST spaces are implemented in an equitable way that is aligned to citywide goals.
Developers offering in-kind contributions must work with City staff to ensure their proposals meet technical, financial and policy requirements. Developers are responsible for all the costs related to the design, construction and delivery of the Community Space, including all necessary studies or approvals. Developers must construct and finish the Community space to the base-building standards outlined in the City’s Community Space Term Sheet. Final acceptance of in-kind contributions is subject to City Council approval and must be secured through legal agreements.
The City Planning division leads review of in-kind CBC proposals, ensuring alignment with growth strategies and local planning objectives. The Social Development division assesses community needs and ensures proposed spaces support equity, inclusion and access. Social Development also administers the tenant selection process through Request for Expressions of Interests. Corporate Real Estate Management provides expertise on construction, facility standards, long-term operations and asset management. Together, these divisions coordinate efforts to ensure in-kind contributions are viable, sustainable and benefit Toronto communities.
For more information on the above contents or to get in touch with the Community Space Tenancy team, please reach out to us over email using communityspace@toronto.ca