Capacity Fees

Capacity fees are one-time charges imposed upon new development as a condition of development approval to pay for a proportionate share of the cost of improvements to the County’s infrastructure necessary to serve new growth and development. The enactment of an Impact or Mobility Fee is one of the means that Alachua County can use to expand the capacity of its transportation, park, and fire systems in order to maintain current levels of service if new development is to be accommodated without decreasing current levels of service.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who has to pay Capacity Fees?

Any person who, after March 28, 2005, seeks to develop land within the unincorporated area of Alachua County, Florida, by applying for a building permit or to make an improvement to land which will generate additional impact is required to pay a Capacity Fee per the adopted Impact or Mobility Fee Ordinances.

When do I have to pay the Capacity Fee?

The obligation to pay a Capacity Fee is incurred when a building permit is applied for. For most permits, the capacity fee is paid prior to issuance of the certificate of occupancy. For permits where no certificate of occupancy is required, such as for a mobile home or home addition, capacity fees must be paid with permit fees. All payments shall be made at the offices of the Alachua County Department of Growth Management, Building Division, or through the County’s online permitting system.

Who determines how much of an Capacity Fee has to be paid?

The amount of any capacity fee shall be determined by the Impact Fee Administrator, in accordance with the adopted Impact Fee Ordinances. The Impact Fee Administrator shall determine whether the method of determination is based on the fee schedule contained in the appropriate impact fee ordinance or by independent fee determination study. The calculation of exemptions, refunds, and credits, and the determination of the net impact fees due shall also be the responsibility of the Impact Fee Administrator with the assistance of appropriate Alachua County Departments. Upon determination of appropriate fees, the applicant will be provided with a statement showing the capacity fees owed.

What types of Impact Fees were adopted?

The County Commission adopted three categories of capacity fees; mobility fee (transportation), fire service impact fee, and park system impact fee.

How will the money from Capacity Fees be used?

Capacity fees can only be used for the purpose for which they were collected. For example, Fire Service impact fees can only be spent on capital improvements that expand the capacity of the County's Fire Services capabilities. Likewise, Mobility and Park Impact Fees can only be used to fund projects identified in the Comprehensive Plan or the Parks Master Plan, respectively. Capacity fee revenue cannot be used for operating and maintenance expenses, though it can be used to pay for the administration of the fees, or for planning studies directly related to the purpose of the fee. Mobility fees can only be spent within the District they were collected in.

How often are Capacity Fees updated?

The County makes every attempt to update capacity fees every 5 years, consistent with State Statute. Currently, all capacity fees, except for Mobility Fees in the East District, are on a four-year phase-in, with new fees going into effect March 1 of 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027.