Walton County adopts higher impact fee for new single-family homes and reclassifies stormwater charge as a special fee

Walton County commissioners voted to raise the county’s residential impact fee and to amend land development rules governing stormwater billing.

Planning staff presented OA25-0335 during a second and final public hearing, proposing an increase in the impact fee to $3,635.57 per single-family residence and recommending an implementation date of Jan. 1. No members of the public spoke during the hearing and the board voted to adopt the ordinance as presented.

Separately, the board considered an amendment to the Walton County Land Development Ordinance (listed as OA25-03395 in the agenda materials) to change the language used for stormwater maintenance and repair billing from a “special tax” to a “special fee.” Staff described the change as an administrative clarification requested by the tax commissioner and tax assessor, noting the charge will still appear on the property tax bill (similar to existing streetlight fees). The board approved moving forward with the public hearing and then adopted the change.

Both actions were presented by county planning staff and passed by the full board. The impact fee decision sets the new per-dwelling charge and an implementation date; the ordinance language change clarifies how stormwater fees will be assessed on affected subdivisions.

Next steps: staff will implement the impact-fee schedule starting on the date set by the board and will follow public-notice requirements for the stormwater fee amendment.