Escalon council adopts 2026 San Joaquin County multi‑species habitat fee schedule
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Summary
Following a public hearing, the council adopted a resolution to incorporate the San Joaquin Council of Governments’ 2026 multi‑species habitat conservation and open‑space fee schedule as a pass‑through fee for development projects.
The Escalon City Council voted to adopt a resolution incorporating the 2026 San Joaquin County Multi‑Species Habitat Conservation and Open Space Plan fee schedule, a pass‑through charge administered by the San Joaquin Council of Governments (SJCOG) intended to fund regional mitigation and conservation for projects subject to the Endangered Species Act.
Why it matters: The fee is charged to development on a per‑acre basis to fund regional habitat conservation and species mitigation. City staff described the charge as a pass‑through administered by SJCOG that streamlines environmental mitigation for local projects by allowing developers to pay the regional fee in lieu of pursuing individual mitigation measures.
Council discussion and vote: Staff noted SJCOG’s updated financial model produces an 8.3% increase in the primary per‑acre fee this year (after a 7% increase last year). The fee varies by land type, from roughly $9,000 per acre for some categories up to $183,000 per acre for vernal pools with wetted conditions, according to staff and the SJCOG representative on hand. After a short period for questions, a council member moved to adopt the resolution; the motion was seconded and adopted by the council.
Implementation: The fee will be assessed against development projects subject to the regional plan and collected through existing project review and permit processes. The council did not specify additional local exemptions or modifications during the hearing. A SJCOG representative attended the hearing and answered council questions about per‑acre categories and the program’s regional scope.
