Impact fees and the planning connection

This chapter reviews the linkages between planning, land-use regulations, and impact fees. From the perspective of local governments, impact fees are one of many financial elements of a capital improvements program (CIP), which implements the long-range capital improvements element (CIE), which is part of the long-range comprehensive plan. An impact fee schedule is developed and applied to land development permits, building permits, or certificates of occupancy as determined locally. The land-use regulatory step itself may include other forms of exactions. Zoning and subdivision controls regulate the actual timing, shape, density, and other features of development, especially including residential development. The rezoning process may identify unique or unanticipated impacts of it on the community. These may include environmental, habitat, localized facility, and other impacts. The delineation of service areas helps to ensure that there is a reasonable relationship between the assessment of impact fees on new development and the delivery of facilities that benefit the development.