On September 9, 2024, the Osceola Board of County Commissioners voted to approve an increase to County mobility impact fees, which will substantially increase the cost of development in the County. Impact fees are a one-time charge assessed by the local government on new development and increases in costs of such fees can dramatically impact a development’s underwriting and feasibility. We previously reported on sweeping changes being proposed by multiple jurisdictions, and this article provides an update on how Osceola County has finally rendered a decision after months of debate and public hearings.
While some of the County’s approved mobility impact fee hikes are lower than the previously proposed increases, they are still significant increases, nonetheless. To illustrate the impact of the new ordinance, the mobility impact fee for single-family homes will jump 117% from $9,999 to $21,710. Additionally, the mobility impact fee for condos and apartments will increase by 81% to $14,040. Fast food restaurants with a drive-thru will bear the largest increase, jumping 1,024% from $14,802 to $166,448 per 1,000 square feet. These new dramatically higher mobility impact fees are in addition to other County imposed impact fees, such as school impact fees on new residential development, which are already among the highest in the state.
The new rates go into effect on June 18, 2025. Building permit applications must be properly filed by May 18, 2025, to be vested with the current mobility impact fee rates. If the review or processing of the permit application is delayed through no fault of the applicant, the County Manager may extend the implementation timeline.
The City of St. Cloud has also proposed an ordinance increasing mobility impact fees. St. Cloud is scheduled to vote on the ordinance on September 19. We will continue to monitor the St. Cloud proposal and provide updates as they become available.
*Law Clerk Sean Klein contributed to this article, with Florida Bar admission pending.
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