ADU Impact Fees: Glendale vs Surprise
How do adu impact fees rules compare between Glendale, AZ and Surprise, AZ?
Surprise has fewer restrictions than Glendale.
Glendale, AZ
Maricopa County
Ariz. Rev. Stat. section 9-461.18 prohibits Glendale from imposing street impact fees on accessory dwelling units and limits other fees that could undermine the state by-right mandate. Standard building permit and plan review fees apply, scaled to construction valuation. Water and sewer development fees apply because Glendale requires a separate water meter and tap for every ADU, generating new connection charges that ordinary internal conversions in other cities avoid.
View full Glendale rules →Surprise, AZ
Maricopa County
Under ARS § 9-463.05 and the ADU preemption at ARS § 9-461.18, Surprise cannot charge development impact fees on ADUs under 1,000 square feet, and fees on larger ADUs must be proportionate to the unit's actual demand on infrastructure. The Surprise Development Services Fee Schedule sets building permit and plan-check fees through the Community Development Department. Water and wastewater capacity fees apply only when a new tap is installed.
View full Surprise rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Glendale | Surprise |
|---|---|---|
| Street Impact Fee | Not applied (state preempted) | - |
| State Cap | ARS 9-461.18 limits excessive ADU fees | - |
| Permit Fee Basis | Construction valuation | - |
| Water Meter Fee | Required (separate meter per ADU) | - |
| Water Tap | New tap to main required | - |
| Reference Document | Glendale ADU Update Mar 2025 | - |
| State Exemption | - | ADUs < 1,000 sq ft exempt (ARS § 9-461.18) |
| Impact Fee Authority | - | ARS § 9-463.05 |
| Permit Fee Range | - | ~$500–$2,000 typical |
| Water/Sewer SDF | - | Only on new tap |
| Fee Schedule | - | Surprise Development Services |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Glendale FAQ
Does Glendale charge an ADU impact fee?
Streets impact fees do not apply to ADUs because state law (Ariz. Rev. Stat. 9-461.18) prohibits requiring street improvements. Glendale does charge standard building permit fees scaled to construction valuation, and unlike many cities, requires a separate water meter and new tap for every ADU, which generates meter and connection fees.
Why is Glendale's ADU water fee higher than other Arizona cities?
Glendale uniquely requires every ADU to have its own city water meter with a new tap to the water main in the street or right-of-way. Most Arizona cities permit ADUs to share the primary dwelling's meter and service, avoiding new connection fees. Plan for separate water meter and tap charges in your Glendale ADU budget.
Surprise FAQ
Are ADU impact fees waived in Surprise?
Yes for ADUs under 1,000 square feet. ARS § 9-461.18 prohibits Surprise from charging impact fees on small ADUs. Larger ADUs pay proportional fees based on the principal dwelling's square footage under ARS § 9-463.05.
What does an ADU permit cost in Surprise?
Building permit and plan-check fees typically total $500–$2,000 for a small ADU sharing the main house's utilities. New water/sewer tap System Development Fees add several thousand dollars. Check the Surprise Development Services Fee Schedule for current rates.
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