Salt Lake City is considering sharply higher one-time water, sewer, and stormwater impact fees for new construction and expanded utility connections, according to a September 13 report. The Salt Lake City Council is scheduled to begin taking public comment on the proposal on Tuesday, September 22.
The proposal, which is not yet final, would target developers, builders, and property owners undertaking projects requiring new or expanded utility capacity. According to city materials, the fees are intended to fund public facilities required to serve new development under Utah’s Impact Fees Act. The proposal does not establish an across-the-board increase for existing residential customers' recurring utility bills.
Proposed fee increases include a 3/4-inch water meter fee of $5,577, compared to the current $1,871 fee. The proposed single-family residential sewer fee is $4,300, while the current fee is $545 per residential unit. Additionally, the proposed stormwater fee is $1,963 per quarter-acre, compared to the current $374.
Salt Lake City Public Utilities stated the update would better account for infrastructure capacity needed to serve growth, noting that existing impact fees have remained largely unchanged since 1999 while construction and infrastructure costs have increased.
Public hearings are scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 South 1000 West, Deseret Building, and 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 6, in Room 315 at Salt Lake City Hall, 451 South State Street. Comments may be submitted at the hearings, through the City Council’s 24-hour comment line at 801-535-7654, or via email as specified in the public-hearing notices.
The City Council must decide whether to approve the proposed Impact Fee Facilities Plan, Impact Fee Analysis, and fee schedule. If adopted, the new fees would take effect 90 days after approval; until that process is complete, current fees remain in effect.
