How are CAM expenses split in a multi-building office park?

Expenses are typically split into building-specific and campus-wide categories. Your pro-rata share applies to your building first, and then your building receives an allocation of campus-wide costs. The campus allocation method (by building GLA, occupancy, or other formula) is defined in your lease.

Can my landlord charge me for a fitness center I never use?

If your lease defines amenity operations as a recoverable expense, the landlord can include those costs in your CAM regardless of personal usage. However, if your lease does not mention amenity costs, the charge may not have a contractual basis.

Does CAMAudit handle multi-building campus allocations?

Yes. CAMAudit examines the allocation methodology between building-specific and campus-wide expenses, checks your pro-rata share against lease terms, and flags expenses that lack lease authorization. Upload your campus reconciliation to get started.

Suburban Office Park

Last updated: April 2026

By Angel Campa, Founder

Suburban office parks bill at two levels: building and campus. Check both allocation methods and verify that campus amenity costs have lease backing.

What Is a Suburban Office Park?

A suburban office park is a campus-style development of low-rise to mid-rise office buildings (typically 1 to 5 stories) located outside the urban core. These properties share common grounds, parking lots, and sometimes amenities like fitness centers or cafeterias. CAM charges cover exterior maintenance, shared parking, and campus-wide services.

Typical Lease

Modified Gross or Full-Service Gross with expense stop

Avg CAM/SF

$8.00 to $15.00

Mgmt Fee %

3% to 5%

How CAM Works in a Suburban Office Park

Suburban office parks allocate expenses across multiple buildings on a campus. Tenants pay their pro-rata share of both their building and campus-wide common area costs. This two-tier allocation creates complexity, as the split between building-specific and campus-wide expenses is at the landlord's discretion.

Common Tenants

Insurance companiesRegional banksCall centersGovernment contractorsMedical practices

Expense Categories Unique to This Property Type

•Campus-wide landscaping and irrigation
•Surface parking lot maintenance
•Shared fitness center or amenity operations
•Campus security and patrol services
•Retention pond and stormwater management
•Multi-building common area allocation

Common Overcharges to Watch

⚠Campus-wide expenses disproportionately allocated to smaller buildings

In multi-building campuses, the landlord decides how to split campus-wide costs across buildings. Tenants in smaller or older buildings may receive a larger allocation than their usage justifies.

⚠Amenity costs charged to tenants who do not use them

Fitness centers, conference facilities, and cafeterias may be billed to all tenants campus-wide, even if specific buildings lack access or their tenants never use the amenities.

⚠Landscaping and irrigation at above-market rates

Suburban office parks have large grounds. Landlords using affiliated or sole-source landscaping vendors may pay above-market rates that get passed through without competitive bidding.

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Key Data

$11.50/SF
Average suburban office park operating expenses are estimated at $11.50 per square foot [industry estimate]
Source: BOMA Experience Exchange Report (2024)

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Related Resources

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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.