Bill 20-26: County Redefines Development Impact Fees for Residential Construction
By: Baltimore Informer Staff
TOWSON, MD Councilman David Marks introduced Bill 20-26 on February 17 to change how Baltimore County calculates development impact fees. The legislation modifies Title 6 of the Adequate Public Facilities code. The county currently charges a $6.00 per square foot fee on new residential construction. It’s a direct update to the tax code clarifying that this fee only applies to occupiable space with ceilings at least seven feet high.
The new rules create specific exemptions for several property additions. Attached garages, screened-in rooms, exterior porches and decks no longer count toward the final fee. Builders who construct massive non-livable spaces will avoid this tax entirely. Corporate developers can earn money by expanding these specific footprints without triggering the county penalty.
The Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections handles the enforcement of these updated guidelines. Section 2 of the bill addresses previous payments made under the older Bill 45-24. The county must issue a refund within 90 days if a builder overpaid based on the old total square footage rules. The Office of Budget and Finance will process these return payments directly to the payor.
WORKING-CLASS IMPACT
This legislation alters the financial landscape for Baltimore County property owners. Large-scale housing developers benefit immediately from the fee waivers on expansive exterior decks and multi-car garages. A Randallstown family building a modest climate-controlled bedroom addition still pays the full $6.00 per square foot rate. The county loses tax revenue from luxury property expansions–revenue meant to support local infrastructure. This structural deficit forces the County Council to potentially squeeze other working-class tax bases to fund public services.
