Daytona Beach hears proposal to raise impact fees about 45% for single-family homes; staff sets public meetings and warns of state bill

City Manager and staff presented an update May 7 to Daytona Beach City commissioners on proposed increases to municipal impact fees that would raise the total charge for a typical single-family home from $3,527 to $5,128 — roughly a 45% increase — and outlined a timeline for public meetings and ordinance readings. City staff warned that a change in state law could restrict the size and timing of any increase if the city does not adopt an ordinance before Oct. 1.

The presentation, delivered by a consultant working with city staff, said the revisions reflect added cost-escalation assumptions and newly modeled transportation mobility projects. “So, primarily, what we looked at is adding future cost escalation considerations that was not fully factored in before,” the consultant said. The consultant identified higher costs across multiple departments, including police, fire, parks, transportation and utilities.

Why it matters: Impact fees are charged to new development to pay for expanded public facilities and services. The proposed changes would increase the amounts charged to developers and, ultimately, to new homeowners and businesses. Staff said the adjustments are intended to fund planned capital…