Greensboro, NC Accessory Structures: ADU Impact Fees (2026)

North Carolina law does not generally authorize cities to charge residential impact fees outside specific statutory authority. NC General Statutes Chapter 162A (System Development Fees) authorizes water and sewer SDFs calculated under a prescribed methodology (NCGS 162A-205). Greensboro's prior water and sewer impact-fee regime was struck down by the NC Court of Appeals (Plantation Building of Wilmington v. City of Greensboro line of cases), and the city has since revised its fee schedule under the 2017 Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act. Greensboro's current rule (City Code Ch. 29, System Development Fees, FY23-24 ordinance) provides that no system development fee is required for an ADU unless a new lateral line to the water main is installed; when an ADU shares the existing service connection with the primary dwelling, SDFs typically do not apply. Single-family units of 1,500 sq ft or less may be exempt by building-permit data; units over 1,500 sq ft may be exempt if the builder participates in a low-income housing production program. ADU permit costs therefore include: (1) Building permit fee by construction valuation; (2) Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees; (3) Plan-review fees; (4) Stormwater/erosion-control fees if applicable; (5) Water/sewer SDF only if a new tap is installed. Greensboro does not charge a separate school, parks, or transportation impact fee.