Cary does not charge a general residential impact fee on ADUs. North Carolina law (NCGS Ch. 162A) authorizes water and sewer system development fees (SDFs). NCGS 162A-205 exempts ADUs under 1,500 sq ft from sewer SDF when sharing a connection with the principal dwelling. Costs are limited to building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees plus any new utility tap and capacity fees.
North Carolina does not broadly authorize residential impact fees; local governments may charge them only when a specific state statute authorizes the fee. Cary does NOT impose a general ADU impact fee, school impact fee, transportation impact fee, or parks impact fee. The principal fees for a Cary ADU are: (1) Building permit fee (calculated by Cary Inspections and Permits on construction valuation); (2) Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees (each issued separately per NCGS 160D-1110); (3) Plan review and zoning compliance fees; (4) Cary water and sewer system development fees (SDF) authorized by NCGS Ch. 162A if a new connection is established. NCGS 162A-205 was amended (S.L. 2017-138 and subsequent) to provide that an accessory dwelling unit under 1,500 square feet sharing utility service with the principal dwelling is exempt from sewer system development fees. Wake County stormwater fees may increase if impervious surface coverage increases. School impact fees in some surrounding NC counties (e.g., Chatham, Orange) do not apply to property within Cary/Wake County, which does not levy school impact fees.
Failure to pay required permit and SDF charges prevents permit issuance and utility connection. No specific 'impact fee violation' exists since Cary does not levy a general ADU impact fee. Unpaid fees can become liens against the property.
Cary, NC
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