Fee Studies and Updates for Local Governments
Whether you're adopting a first fee program or updating a schedule that hasn't moved in years, this is the work a city or county would traditionally hire an impact fee consultant for: the study, the calculations, and the documentation your adoption process needs. Typical engagements include:
- Transportation and mobility fees
- Parks and recreation fees
- School impact fees
- Water and sewer capacity fees
- Full multi-category fee programs
- Periodic updates and indexing of an existing schedule
What to Expect
Three plain steps. First, tell us about your fee program or project through the inquiry form below. Second, a scope call: what fee categories you're considering, what your current schedule looks like, and what your adoption timeline requires, so we can match your request with the right expertise. Third, you receive a proposal from the team best suited to your work, followed by a draft study written out for staff review and a final report ready for public hearings and adoption. We reply to every inquiry within one business day.
Services for Developers
On the private side, we handle project-specific fee estimates, credit and offset analyses, and feasibility reviews before you commit to a site. For a quick self-serve baseline, start with the fee calculator and the developer guide; when a project needs numbers you can take to a lender or a fee dispute, send us the details through the form below.
Need a land use attorney or other specialist?
Not every impact fee question calls for a study. Some need legal counsel on an ordinance or a fee dispute, and some need a specialist for permitting or entitlements. We can connect you with land use attorneys, permitting consultants, and other development professionals working in your area: tell us what you're facing through the form below, or browse the Find a Professional directory.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an impact fee consultant do?
An impact fee consultant prepares the studies local governments adopt to set their fees: demand analysis, cost allocation, the calculations behind each rate, and the report that goes to public hearings. On the private side, consultants prepare project-specific fee estimates, credit and offset analyses, and feasibility reviews for developers. Both kinds of work are what this page covers.
When does a city or county need an impact fee study?
Three situations come up most often: adopting a first fee program, updating a schedule that has not moved in years, and meeting a state-law requirement to review or re-justify fees on a set cycle. If growth has outpaced the assumptions behind your current schedule, an update is usually due.
What makes an impact fee study defensible?
A defensible study documents its methodology and data sources, ties each fee to the cost of the facilities new development actually requires, and keeps the fees proportional to that impact. The final report should let staff, elected officials, and the public trace every number back to its source.
How much does an impact fee study cost?
It depends on scope: how many fee categories are involved, the size and data readiness of the jurisdiction, and whether it is a new program or an update of an existing schedule. A single-category update is a much smaller effort than a full multi-category program. Request a proposal through the form below and you will get a quote scoped to your situation.
Can you connect me with a land use attorney?
Yes. If your situation calls for legal counsel or another specialist rather than a study, tell us through the inquiry form and we can connect you with land use attorneys, permitting consultants, and other development professionals working in your area.
Request a Proposal
Tell us your jurisdiction and the fee types you're considering. We'll follow up with scope questions and a proposal. No obligation, and we reply within one business day.