Impact Fees
NOTE: This summary is very simplified, and is provided for informational purposes. Any questions on this topic should be directed to The Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman.
An impact fee is a one-time charge imposed by local governments to mitigate the impact on local infrastructure caused by new development. Growth in the form of new homes and businesses requires expansion or enlargement of public facilities to maintain the same level and quality of public services for all residents of a community. Impact fees help fund expansion of public facilities necessary to accommodate new growth.
Impact fees are governed by the Impact Fees Act , found in Chapter 11-36a of the Utah Code. Local governments may charge impact fees, if they follow the terms of the Impact Fees Act.
Impact fees may be used for permanent buildings and other physical facilities owned by the local government which have a life expectancy of more than 10 years. A local government may charge impact fees to fund the following public facilities:
- water systems and water rights
- roads
- wastewater systems
- stormwater control systems
- parks
- municipal power facilities
- public safety facilities (i.e., police and fire facilities)
The funds collected by impact fees may only be used on the facilities associated with that fee. For example, a road impact fee must be spent on road construction, and a park impact fee must be spent on parks, etc.
Existing levels of service are used to determine the amount of the fees. A proposed level of service may be used to calculate an impact fee, if funding from other sources is in place to raise the service level.
Impact fees may be assessed by cities, counties, and special districts. The governing body approves an impact fee ordinance imposing the fees, following the requirements of the Impact Fees Act.
Impact fees are determined through a complex analysis of a local government’s existing level of public services, future needs due to growth, and the anticipated cost to maintain the existing level of service. Please contact the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman for a more detailed explanation of how impact fees are calculated.
A capital facilities plan is an analysis of the existing facilities and levels of service, along with anticipated growth and demands created by new development. A capital facilities plan is required if a locality wishes to adopt an impact fee ordinance.
The Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman can inform and educate property owners, developers, and local governments on impact fees, and the impact fee process. The Office may issue Advisory Opinions on specific impact fees. Please contact the Ombudsman Office if you have any questions.
