Volusia County cuts impact fees for accessory dwelling units to encourage housing options

The Volusia County Council voted June 2 to reduce impact-fee costs for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), aiming to encourage smaller infill housing and allow homeowners to add rental or multigenerational units at lower cost.

Under the ordinance adopted by the council, an ADU will be treated as an expansion of the primary dwelling when calculating impact fees. If an ADU keeps the parcel within the same preexisting square-footage tier used by county fee schedules, no additional impact fee is charged. If adding the ADU pushes the dwelling into a higher tier, the homeowner pays only the difference tied to that incremental tier rather than a full new assessment.

Chief among the examples offered by staff: a homeowner who previously paid an impact fee for a 950-sq-ft house and later added a 250-sq-ft ADU would not pay additional fees because both units fit the same 1,200-sq-ft tier. If an ADU pushes total living area across a tier threshold, only the extra-tier fee applies.

Supporters said the change reduces the up-front cost impediment for ADUs and can expand safe, legal rental options and family housing in established neighborhoods; opponents did not register at the June hearing.

Speakers: Ray Tiner (growth & resource management staff) presented the ordinance; council approved the measure.