NOTICE OF NEW AND UPDATED MARION COUNTY

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IMPACT FEES

For All Unincorporated and Incorporated Areas of Marion County, Florida

At the March 5, 2024 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners of Marion County, Florida, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 2024-06, which established new and updated Educational System Impact Fees in all unincorporated and incorporated areas of Marion County; provided that collection of County impact fees within municipalities will not occur until the county and the city have entered into an interlocal agreement.  These impact fees are imposed on all new construction and applies for a building permit on or after the dates specified below and will fund capital improvements and additions to Marion County Public Schools needed to serve new growth.  The impact fees will be due and collected prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy at the rates specified below: 

The following Educational System Impact Fee rates will be effective on July 1, 2024:   

Single Family Detached / Mobile Home on a Lot                  $4,307 per dwelling unit

Single Family Attached / Townhouse                                      $2,020 per dwelling unit  

Mobile Home Park                                                                      $2,866 per dwelling unit  

Multi-Family (Condominiums)                                                   $1,990 per dwelling unit 

Multi-Family Apartment ( 1 to 700 sq. ft.)                                $1,604     

Multi-Family Apartment (701 to 900 sq. ft.)                             $3,847  

Multi-Family Apartment (901 to 1,200 sq. ft.)                          $4,337  

Multi-Family Apartment (>1,200 sq. ft.)                                    $5,525   

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a building permit has been given a permit number prior to the effective date of the impact fee rates stated above, the customer will only be obligated to pay the fee that was in effect on the date the application for a building permit was submitted, as long as the permit remains valid through construction. 

Copies of Ordinance No. 2024-06 are available at the Marion County Department of Growth Services, located at 2710 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL  34470.  Any questions can be directed to Kimberly Hatcher, Growth Services Coordinator, at (352) 438-2600. 

Marion County’s impact fee program follows a consumption-based formula, consistent with many municipalities throughout Florida. This approach ensures that new development pays a fair share of the cost for public services based on the demand each land use generates.

The Board of County Commissioners approved Ordinance No. 25-18, which establishes the county’s transportation impact fee schedule. A third-party study of transportation impact fee rates was completed in late 2023 to support the ordinance and ensure the fees are equitable and data-driven.

You may view the Transportation Impact Fee Schedule by clicking HERE.

The City of Ocala is committed to ensuring that our growing community continues to have access to reliable, high-quality water and sewer services. As new development occurs or as existing properties expand or change their use, the demand on the City’s utility infrastructure increases.

To address these impacts, the City uses water and sewer impact fees to help fund the expansion of water and wastewater systems needed to support growth. This approach ensures that the cost of new capacity is shared fairly by the developments creating the additional demand, rather than being placed on existing customers.

These fees are based on a comprehensive rate study completed by Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc., which analyzed future infrastructure needs, system capacity, and expected growth. This study established a clear connection between development activity, system demand, and the capital improvements required to maintain adequate service levels.

The City of Ocala’s Council approved Ordinance 2025-27, which establishes the City’s Water and Sewer Impact fee schedule.

You may view the Water and Sewer Impact Fee Schedule by clicking HERE.

The City of Ocala is dedicated to providing reliable and timely emergency fire protection services to safeguard the community’s residents, businesses, and property. As the city grows, new development increases the demand on fire stations, fire service vehicles, equipment, and overall emergency response capacity.

To ensure that growth pays for the additional resources it requires, the City assesses fire impact fees. These are one-time charges collected when new structures are built or when existing structures are expanded or undergo a change in use that increases their impact on fire services. This approach ensures that the cost of expanding fire service capacity is shared fairly by those creating the additional demand, rather than being absorbed by existing taxpayers.

The City’s fire impact fee structure is based on the 2019 Fire Impact Fee Update Study conducted by Tindale Oliver & Associates, which analyzed system capacity, projected growth, and the cost of required capital improvements. The study established a clear connection between new development and the need for additional fire service facilities and equipment.

The City of Ocala’s Council approved Ordinance 2019-47, which establishes the City’s Fire Impact fee schedule. Fire impact fees vary based on property type, size, and use. The fee schedule reflects the proportional impact different land uses place on fire services.

You may view the Fire Impact Fee Schedule by clicking HERE.