National Impact Fee Survey 1

Abstract

This chapter discusses the survey conducted in 2019 of impact fees from a sample of jurisdictions across the country, including where impact fees appear to be most common, how much jurisdictions in various states are charging, the types of facilities for which fees are being charged, and how fees vary by land use. The multitude of names used to refer to impact fees is one obstacle to developing an accurate survey of such fees. Common terms used to refer to impact fees include “capacity fees,” “facility fees,” “system development charges,” and “capital recovery fees.” Water and wastewater connection fees that are used to fund growth-related capital improvements should be classified as impact fees. However, connection fees often mix impact fee components with service fees that cover other types of costs, such as the purchase of a water meter, the inspection of the connection, or the administrative cost of establishing a new customer account.