Council directs staff to ease impact fees for accessory dwelling units

Volusia County Council voted unanimously May 5 to direct staff to prepare ordinance language that would change how impact fees are assessed for accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Under the proposal staff presented, ADUs would be treated as an expansion of the primary dwelling for impact‑fee calculations. Homeowners would pay only the incremental fee if the combined square footage crosses into a higher fee tier, rather than a full stand‑alone unit fee. Staff showed examples where fees that previously totaled several thousand dollars would drop to several hundred dollars — and in many cases be reduced to zero — under the new approach.

Paul Sorey, Senior Assistant County Attorney, explained that existing affordable‑housing deed‑restricted ADUs already receive fee relief and that the proposed method for standard ADUs is legally defensible without redoing the county’s impact‑fee study. Council members described the policy as a practical, pro‑housing measure: Councilman Danny Robbins characterized the change as a way to remove barriers and make housing more affordable without a full subsidy.

The motion to give staff direction to draft an ordinance was moved by Robbins and seconded by David Santiago. The motion passed 7–0.

Why it matters: ADU policy affects homeowners considering multigenerational housing, infill housing and small rental units that can increase housing supply. Lower impact fees reduce upfront costs and may encourage creation of ADUs for family use or long‑term rental.

What comes next: Staff will prepare ordinance language to amend Chapter 72 and return to council for formal adoption, including any code changes required for implementation.