If you are a real estate developer in the State of Georgia,
chances are, at some point, a municipality will require that you
pay an impact fee proportionate to the potential impact of your
development on the existing public infrastructure. The purpose of
this blog is to reduce your chances of being surprised by impact
fees by generally describing what they are and for what purposes
may they be charged; who may charge them; and how they may
potentially be reduced.
What are Impact Fees?
An impact fee typically is a one-time fee assessed by a local
government to a property owner or developer to offset the impact of
a development on the existing public infrastructure. The fee is
calculated based on a methodology that considers the cost of the
new public infrastructure or facility and the size and scope of the
proposed development. Public infrastructure can include roads,
public safety facilities, schools, parks, and wastewater
facilities. In Georgia, impact fees may
