BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD—Baltimore County is set to enact the first-ever impact fee for new development.

On July 1st, an impact fee will go into effect for commercial and residential construction to pay for improvements needed because of those projects. Impact fees have been implemented in almost all urbanized counties in Maryland for decades to help pay for new schools, roads, and other infrastructure.

Councilman David Marks sponsored the legislation, which passed in 2019 but will not go into effect until July of 2020.

“For years, taxpayers have subsidized the costs of new development, from schools to roads and infrastructure,” said Councilman Marks. “It is fairer to ask those who are contributing to growth to pay more than all existing residents through higher property taxes.”