A quick refresher on what impact fees are, how they're calculated, and the changes shaping schedules this year.
Impact fees are one-time charges that cities, counties, and special districts assess on new development to fund the public infrastructure that growth requires — water and sewer capacity, roads, schools, parks, fire and police facilities, and drainage.
How they're typically calculated
- •Per dwelling unit (single-family, townhome, multifamily)
- •Per 1,000 square feet of commercial or industrial space
- •By trip generation, fixture units, or meter size for transportation and utility categories
What's changing in 2026
Several states are revisiting how often jurisdictions can re-index fees, what credits developers can claim for installed infrastructure, and how affordable housing projects are treated. Florida's statutory cap on annual increases continues to shape schedule updates, while jurisdictions in Texas and Arizona are publishing fresh land use assumption studies.
Bottom line: even if you've worked in a market for years, last year's number is rarely this year's number. Always verify against the current adopted schedule before relying on a figure for underwriting.