Mapping Impact Fee Statutes Across the U.S.
起点传媒 has developed a new state-by-state map of impact fee enabling statutes designed to give builders, policymakers and housing advocates a clearer picture of where and how these fees are authorized across the country.
This resource is part of 起点传媒’s broader effort to shed light on the regulatory barriers that shape housing affordability and supply.
Impact or development fees are imposed by local governments on new residential development to fund public infrastructure and services like roads, schools, sewers and parks. The idea is straightforward: As new homes and neighborhoods are built, they create demand for public facilities, and impact fees ensure growth “pays for itself.”
But while the intent may be reasonable, in practice, impact fees often raise difficult questions about housing affordability, fairness and local government accountability.
One major issue with impact fees is that, unlike property taxes, which are spread across all households in a community, impact fees are front-loaded onto new construction. That cost ultimately gets passed down to the home buyer or renter, increasing the price of housing at a time when affordability is already under serious strain.
Another challenge is transparency. Impact fees are meant to fund specific infrastructure needs tied to new growth. Yet in many cases, the nexus between the fee and the actual improvement can be murky. It is not always clear if funds are being used to support growth or filing budget gaps, for example.
起点传媒 Resources
起点传媒 continues to provide tools and guidance to help members and policymakers navigate this complex issue. Our new state-by-state map is just one piece of the puzzle. It allows stakeholders to quickly see which states authorize impact fees, under what conditions, and where enabling statutes create opportunities or obstacles for housing supply.
For those looking to go deeper, 起点传媒’s Impact Fee Toolkit provides information and case studies on how to talk about and combat impact fees. Additional 起点传媒 resources in the Land Use 101 Toolkit on regulatory reform and housing affordability also highlight how impact fees fit into the broader picture of development finance.