How do anchor tenant exclusions affect my CAM share in a power center?

Big-box anchors often self-maintain their premises and negotiate minimal CAM contributions. This means the remaining common area costs are divided among fewer tenants, raising your effective per-SF CAM rate above what you might expect based on total GLA.

What parking lot expenses are legitimate CAM charges in a power center?

Routine maintenance like restriping, pothole patching, lighting repairs, and snow removal are legitimate CAM charges. Full resurfacing or repaving projects are capital expenses that should be amortized over their useful life, not billed in a single year.

Can CAMAudit identify power center-specific overcharges?

Yes. CAMAudit flags pro-rata share errors caused by anchor exclusions, capital expenses improperly passed as operating costs, and management fee calculations that exceed your lease terms. Upload your reconciliation to get started.

Power Center

Last updated: April 2026

By Angel Campa, Founder

Power center CAM looks low on paper, but anchor exclusions can double your effective rate. Verify how your pro-rata denominator is calculated.

What Is a Power Center?

A power center is an open-air retail complex of 250,000 to 600,000 square feet dominated by big-box anchors such as home improvement stores, warehouse clubs, and electronics retailers. Small tenants fill pad sites and inline spaces. CAM in power centers is driven by large parking fields, exterior maintenance, and site drainage systems.

Typical Lease

Triple Net (NNN)

Avg CAM/SF

$3.50 to $7.00

Mgmt Fee %

3% to 5%

How CAM Works in a Power Center

Power center CAM is split between anchors and small tenants. Anchors often self-maintain their own spaces and contribute only a fraction of common area costs. Smaller tenants pay a pro-rata share of the remaining expenses, which can be disproportionately high relative to their footprint.

Common Tenants

Big-box retailersHome improvement storesWarehouse clubsElectronics chainsPad-site restaurants

Expense Categories Unique to This Property Type

•Large-scale parking lot maintenance
•Stormwater management and drainage
•Perimeter landscaping and irrigation
•Monument signage maintenance
•Cart corrals and parking field equipment

Common Overcharges to Watch

⚠Anchor self-maintenance exclusions inflating small tenant share

Big-box anchors that self-maintain their premises are excluded from the CAM denominator, but their parking and common area usage is not always proportionally excluded from expenses, leaving pad tenants overpaying.

⚠Stormwater and drainage capital improvements in CAM

Retention pond construction, drainage system overhauls, and stormwater compliance upgrades are capital items that landlords sometimes pass through as annual operating expenses.

⚠Inflated landscaping and snow removal contracts

Power centers have massive parking fields. Landlords may use affiliated vendors for snow removal or landscaping at above-market rates, inflating CAM without competitive bidding.

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Key Data

$5.10/SF
Average power center CAM charges for non-anchor tenants are estimated at $5.10 per square foot [industry estimate]
Source: ICSC / NAIOP Industry Data (2024)

Explore Other Property Types

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Explore Related Resources

Lease ClauseAudit Rights Clause Lease ClauseCAM Exclusion Clause Property TypeRegional Mall Property TypeLifestyle Center GlossaryCapital Expenditure GlossaryCAM Charges

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Related Resources

Detection RuleExcluded Service Charges Detection RuleManagement Fee Overcharge Detection RulePro-Rata Share Error ResourcesCAM Audit by Lease Type ResourcesLease Clauses Guide ToolsFree CAM Audit Tools

Frequently asked questions

This page provides general educational information. It is not legal advice and may not reflect the most current law in your state. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.