Winston-Salem does not impose a general residential impact fee on ADUs. Under NCGS Chapter 162A, the city charges water and sewer system development fees only when a new lateral is installed; ADUs sharing the primary service typically owe no SDF. Standard building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees apply.
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 Act, 2017) authorizes water and sewer SDFs calculated under the prescribed methodology in NCGS 162A-205. Winston-Salem's fee schedule provides that water/sewer SDFs apply when a new service connection (lateral to the water main) is installed; when an ADU shares the existing service connection with the primary dwelling, SDFs typically do not apply. UDO-CC15 (February 2022) specifically eliminated a prior $1,000 minimum ADU review fee, leaving only standard permit fees. ADU permit costs therefore include: (1) Building permit fee for new residential construction at approximately $0.15 per square foot (effective July 1, 2024 fee schedule); (2) Separate electrical, plumbing, and mechanical permit fees per the Inspections Division Fee Schedule; (3) Plan-review fees; (4) Stormwater/erosion-control fees if applicable; (5) Water/sewer SDF only if a new tap is installed. Winston-Salem and Forsyth County do not charge a separate school, parks, or transportation impact fee.
Failure to pay permit fees prevents permit issuance. Unpaid water/sewer SDFs prevent service connection. No general impact-fee violation exists because no general impact fee is charged.
Winston-Salem, NC
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