Charlotte does not impose a general residential impact fee on ADUs. North Carolina General Statutes do not broadly authorize impact fees - local governments may charge them only when specifically authorized. Charlotte ADU costs include standard building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees plus Charlotte Water tap and capacity fees if a new connection is required.
North Carolina law does not generally authorize counties or municipalities to charge residential impact fees outside specific statutory authority. NC General Statute Ch. 162A authorizes water and sewer system development fees (SDFs), which Charlotte Water charges per NCGS 162A-205. Charlotte does NOT charge a general ADU impact fee, school impact fee, transportation impact fee, or parks impact fee. Costs include: (1) Building permit fees (set by Mecklenburg County, generally calculated on construction valuation); (2) Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees (each separate); (3) Plan-review fees; (4) Zoning Use Permit / Certificate of Zoning Compliance fee with Charlotte; (5) Charlotte Water tap fee and system development fee (NCGS 162A-205) if a new water/sewer connection is established - these can be substantial ($4,000-$15,000+ for new lateral). If the ADU shares utilities with the principal dwelling, system development fees typically do not apply. (6) Storm water fees on the Mecklenburg County tax bill if impervious area increases significantly. The 2023 UDO does not impose any new ADU-specific impact fee. School-impact fees that exist in some NC counties (Cabarrus, Union, Iredell, etc.) do not apply within Charlotte/Mecklenburg.
Failure to pay permit fees prevents issuance. Unpaid Charlotte Water SDFs prevent service connection. No specific 'impact fee violation' exists since no general impact fee is charged.
Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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Charlotte, NC
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See how Charlotte's adu impact fees rules stack up against other locations.
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