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Board adopts updated unified fee schedule; builders warn increases will raise housing costs
Summary
After a public hearing dominated by builders' concerns, the Board approved a targeted update to building, land-use and environmental fees effective July 1, 2025, with a 4-2 vote. Staff said the changes recoup rising review and inspection costs and restructure environmental fees; builders said the increases will add to housing costs.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors approved revisions to the county's unified fee schedule Tuesday that raise certain permit, inspection and plan-review charges and restructure environmental review fees.
Staff told the board the changes are targeted updates — the first major change since the July 2022 comprehensive revision — designed to recoup higher operational costs and to make environmental and erosion- and stormwater-related fees easier to administer. "We're looking for the users that wish to do something with their property to pay the fees that offset the costs associated with those permits and plans," a county planning staff member said at the hearing.
The board vote was 4-2, with Chair Yakubowski and Supervisor Marshall recorded as voting no. Staff said small increases, such as a $5 rise in the permit center intake fee, would add roughly $30,000 in recurring revenue based on FY24 volumes. A larger change in how large site inspections are defined (moving from 400 acres and greater to 50 acres and greater) was projected by staff to add roughly $288,000 when applied to FY24 activity.
The Fredericksburg Area Builders Association urged the board to reconsider the package, arguing the increases would be passed to homebuyers and undermine affordability. "These increases proposed are not minimal. They represent a significant added cost to every home, every lot, and every permit," said Sean Miller, director of government affairs for the association.
Staffers and the planning commission also noted that a separate zoning amendment under review would eliminate the chicken-coop permit process; if that ordinance is adopted before July 1, the related fee would be removed because the permitting requirement would be eliminated.
Supervisor Hayes moved approval of the ordinance; the motion passed 4-2. Staff said the changes are scheduled to take effect July 1, 2025, in alignment with the fiscal year and the FY26 budget.
Action: Adopt ordinance updating the unified fee schedule effective July 1, 2025; vote 4-2 (Chair Yakubowski and Supervisor Marshall opposed).
