Development Impact Fees

Overview

There is a fee to connect to the District’s sanitary sewer system. This connection fee, which is referred to as a Development Impact Fee or DIF, is intended to recover the actual cost to provide capacity in both the collection system and the treatment facility necessary to serve the new connection. The DIF represents the pro-rata contribution required of new users to “buy-in” to the capital facilities that have been paid for by existing customers.

Ordinances

As a part of the 2022 Wastewater Rates and Fees Study prepared by Raftelis Financial Consultants, a new equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) baseline value was established for FY 2022/23 at $6,230.  This represents a 23% increase from the DIF in place for the prior year, resulting from reduced water use across all sectors.  The baseline DIF was authorized by Ordinance No. 18, adopted on June 7, 2022. This new baseline DIF escalates annually on July 1st of each year based on the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index (ENR-CCI, 20 City Index).

For the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 the DIF is $6,576 per EDU.

Please contact the District for additional information regarding non-residential DIF determinations.

Accessory Dwelling Units

The District follows applicable State law when determining whether to assess a DIF for new accessory dwelling units (ADUs) or junior accessory dwelling units (JADUs) on existing residential properties.  Determinations are made based on the specific configuration, size and features of an individual ADU.  Contact the District for more information on impact fees for ADUs.

Annual Sewer Service Charges

Residential

$

Low Pressure Surcharge

$

Non-Residential

There is a fee to connect to the District’s sanitary sewer system. This connection fee, which is referred to as a Development Impact Fee or DIF, is intended to recover the actual cost to provide capacity in both the collection system and the treatment facility necessary to serve the new connection. The DIF represents the pro-rata contribution required of new users to “buy-in” to the capital facilities that have been paid for by existing customers.

Development Impact Fees (DIF) are fees collected for new sewer connections and developments within the District’s service area.  This revenue is restricted for use on capital improvement projects that are capacity related.

As a part of the 2022 Wastewater Rates and Fees Study prepared by Raftelis Financial Consultants, a new equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) baseline value was established for FY 2022/23 at $6,230.  This represents a 23% increase from the DIF in place for the prior year, resulting from reduced water use across all sectors.  The baseline DIF was authorized by Ordinance No. 18, adopted on June 7, 2022.

The DIF amount escalates on July 1st of each year, based upon the change in the Engineering News Record Construction Cost Index (ENR-CCI, 20 City Index). Non-residential development impact fees are computed based on an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) basis according to the formula prescribed in Ordinance No.18.

Although the District generally collects a limited number of DIFs each year from new connections and small developments, existing limitations on growth within the District’s service area make this a variable and mostly insignificant source of revenue.  Furthermore, because of the restricted nature of these funds, it is assumed for budgetary purposes that no DIF will be collected in this fiscal year.  Any fees that are collected will be dedicated and accounted for in accordance with State law.

For the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 the DIF is $6,576 per EDU.