Osceola County Commissioners Approve Impact Fee Moratorium

Osceola County, Florida - At their January 10, 2011 regular Board meeting, Osceola County Commissioners approved a transportation impact fee moratorium on all new non-residential construction. County officials made the decision in hopes that forgoing the fee revenue will spark commercial development and bring more businesses into the area. The move is expected to give builders noticeable cost savings on commercial construction and level the playing field on competitive economic development projects.

The moratorium covers only transportation impact fees, which are now waived for projects meeting the following criteria:

• Building permits must be issued between December 13, 2010 and February 1, 2012, and
• A permanent Certificate of Occupancy (C.O.) must be issued within 18 months from the time the building permit is issued.

The County Manager will have the option of approving an extension of the completion date:

• 6 additional months for projects of 20,000 to 100,000 square feet
• 12 additional months for projects of more than 100,000 square feet

An initial inspection must be called in within 60 days from the time the building permit is issued.

The impact fee moratorium applies to new commercial/industrial construction and expansion of existing commercial/industrial facilities. Only transportation impact fees are included; fire impact fees and the associated fire/rescue and solid waste special assessments due at the time of C.O. issuance will still be collected.

"This is a big step in the right direction," said Chairman Brandon Arrington. "We need to look at creative ways to spark economic growth and vitality, and this is something other communities are trying as well. In order to stay competitive, we need to take bold action. I applaud our Board for doing just that with this vote."

To schedule a free pre-application meeting with the Osceola County Community Development staff, please call Nicole Nobles at (407) 742-0246.

For more information, please call the Osceola County Community Outreach/Public Information Office at (407) 742-0100.