• What is an impact fee?
  
  Impact fees are a method of shifting a portion of the burden of the cost of new or expanded infrastructure to accommodate new development away from the community at large to new development itself. Impact fees are a one-time fee paid by all new development to help pay for the infrastructure needed by that new development.
  
  
• What are the different types of impact fees collected by Lake County?
  
  Lake County has five types of impact fees: transportation (road), school, fire, library and park.
  
  
• When were the impact fees implemented?
  
  

  • Transportation (road) – 1985
  • School – 1991
  • Fire – 1996
  • Library – 2004
  • Park – 2004

  
  
  
• How are impact fees calculated?
  
  Impact fees are based on the size and use of the development. To calculate the impact fee, multiply the unit rate for the proposed use by the square footage of the proposed development. Mixed uses may be calculated at different rates proportional to the percentage of square footage for each use. The rate schedules for residential and commercial development can be found on this Web site. For assistance with impact fee calculations, call the impact fee office at (352) 343-9467.
  
  
• When are impact fees paid?
  
  Impact fees are paid at the time a building permit is issued.
  
  
• Do I have to pay impact fees for an addition or remodel of my existing residence?
  
  Not unless the square footage of your residence increases. Alterations of an existing building where no additional dwelling units are created and where the use is not changed, provided there is no increase in the impacts to public facilities and services, are exempt from impact fees.
  
  
• How do I get credit for a structure(s) that used to be on the property?
  
  In order to receive credit for an existing structure that is being replaced, or a structure that used to be on the property, you must get an impact fee letter from the Property Appraiser’s Office. This letter must be presented at the time of permitting. Effective March 11, 2008, credit will only be given for a removed or destroyed structure if the building permit for reconstruction or replacement is obtained prior to January 1, 2014 or within six (6) years of the date of destruction or removal, whichever occurs last.
  
  
• Do I have to pay impact fees if I am replacing an existing residence?
  
  This depends on several factors including the size and type of the replacement home. Generally, if you replace with the same (or smaller) size and type of residence, no additional impact fees are charged. If the square footage increases, your impact fees will be calculated at the higher square-footage rate, less a credit for square footage of the residence you are replacing.
  
  
• Do I have to pay impact fees if I am changing the use of an existing structure?
  
  Yes. If a change in the use constitutes a different impact fee land-use category, the amount of the fee is calculated based on the applicable impact fee for the new use less the credit for the amount of the fee that would have been imposed for the previous use.
  
  
• I am building in a city; do I still have to pay the impact fees?
  
  Yes. The transportation and school fees are charged countywide. The library, park and fire fees may be charged depending on whether the city provides that service. For more information regarding which fees are charged for your city, call the impact fee office at (352) 343-9467.
  
  
• I am a senior citizen; do I still have to pay the impact fees?
  
  Yes. If you are building in a community that has been designated as "adult only" (approved by the County Attorney per the Lake County Code), then you will be exempt from the school impact fee. If your community has been designated as "active adult,” then you will be entitled to a reduced rate for the transportation impact fee in addition to being exempt from the school impact fee. To find out if your community has either of these designations, call the impact fee office at (352) 343-9467.
  
  
• Does non-residential development have to pay all of the same impact fees as residential development?
  
  No. Non-residential development only pays the transportation and fire impact fees.
  
  
• I keep hearing that impact fees are going to increase. What is the status of the proposed increase?
  
  The Lake County Board of County Commissioners’ public hearing for the transportation impact fee was held Aug. 21st. The Board of County Commissioners voted against the proposed increases and directed the County Attorney to bring back a resolution to form a citizen’s task force to explore funding alternatives for transportation. The resolution was approved on September 18th.
  
  The Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing for the school impact fee on December 11, 2007. They approved Lake County Ordinance No. 2007-61, which increases the fee. Effective March 11, 2008, the new rates for school impact fees are: $9,324 for single family, $5,689 for multi-family, $3,297 for mobile homes, and $6,027 to upgrade from a mobile home to a single family residence.
  
  
• Can I prepay my impact fees?
  
  

  Yes, with some conditions. The Prepayment process is abbreviated below. See Prepayment of Impact Fees for additional information.

  1. Complete application. A separate application must be submitted for each lot. The application can be filled out electronically and then printed.
     
     
  2. Bring printed application, property record card, lot of record determination, and payment to the Lake County Impact Fee Office, located at 315 W. Main Street, 5th floor, Tavares, FL 32778.
     • Appointments, especially for prepaying for multiple lots, can be scheduled by calling (352) 343-9467.
     • A 1% convenience charge will be added if payment is by credit card.
     • Property record cards can be obtained on the Lake County Property Appraiser’s website.

* This data is provided for informational purposes only.  In the event of any difference between these FAQs and the adopted impact fee ordinances, the adopted ordinances shall prevail.  Please contact the Lake County Impact Fee office at (352) 343-9467 with any questions.