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1. What are impact fees?

An impact fee is a charge or assessment imposed for a proportionate share of the cost of capital improvements or facility expansion required by the new growth to maintain adequate service levels throughout the county. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

2. When are impact fees paid?

Impact fees are to be paid in full at the time a building permit or business license is issued. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

3. How are impact fees assessed?

Impact fees are assessed based on the type of use and the size of the development. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

4. What if my particular development type is not listed on the fee schedule?

If a development does not fall within a specific category on a fee schedule, the Impact Fee Coordinator shall use the fee applicable to the closest type of use. If the Impact Fee Coordinator concludes that there is no closely related activity on the schedule, the Impact Fee Coordinator shall determine the fee by using traffic generation statistics (ITE Trip Generation). For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

5. I have a mobile home on my property. I am planning to replace it with another mobile home. Will I owe an impact fee?

No. The replacement of a mobile home on a lot/site where one previously existed (legally) is not subject to impact fees even if the new mobile home is larger than the original one. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

6. How will the money from the fees be used?

The fees will be allotted to libraries, parks, and roads based on the impact fee schedule. Only money in the library account can be used on libraries, only money in the parks account can be used on parks, and only money in the roads account can be used on roads. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

7. I am applying for a business license in an existing location. Why do I need to worry about impact fees?

When a new business moves into a location that was previously occupied by another business, the impact on the surrounding area may be affected. If a small restaurant moves into a building that was previously home to a gift shop the traffic will increase. This causes more growth and impact to the area than before. The new business would only be charged for change of impact. For more in depth information on impact fees visit the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.