Westside Home Builders Association

Impact Fees Statewide Impact Fee Updates 6/23/09
For 18 months, local governments have responded to the economic downturn by making adjustments to existing impact fee programs or delaying the implementation of new programs. The following is a brief summary of actions taken by local governments across Georgia. Dawson County: On May 21, the Dawson County Board of Commissioners voted to suspend collection of impact fees for new construction. To preserve any right to a grandfathered zero impact fee status, permits must have received a passing foundation inspection within one year of issuance. Further, the permit must also receive a Certificate of Occupancy within 24 months of issuance. Town of Tyrone: In November 2008, the Town of Tyrone voted to eliminate its longstanding impact fee program and authorized the refund of impact fees. Numerous builders received refunds in excess of $7,000, including one builder who received a refund of almost $118,000. Lee County: Impact fees were adopted by the county in July 2006, but subsequently reduced in August 2007 by more than half to $770.35. City of Perry: The city adopted impact fees in June 2008, but agreed at the behest of local home builders association to delay the effective date of the ordinance until July 1, 2009. In March 2009, the city voted to reduce the impact fee amount. Jones County: On Oct. 7, 2008, the Jones County Board of Commissioners voted to adopt impact fees of $1,800 per single-family residence. However, due to concerns over the economy and at the behest of the local home builders association, the board voted to delay implementation of the impact fee program until July 1, 2009.