| Section 151.590 of the Santa Fe County Code of Ordinances contains the county’s fire and rescue facilities impact fee. The fee applies to both residential and nonresidential development and to capital improvement needs created by new development in designated service areas (151.595). The code also says that up to three percent of the total fees collected can pay for administrative costs. The code (151.591) says that the county will not use impact fees to pay for operating, maintaining, or replacing capital improvements.
The code (151.592) identifies the process for creating a fire capital improvements plan, identifying designated service areas, and preparing a fire protection service area map. The code also says that the county must update the plan every five years.
Section 151.593 indicates that the county should not issue development permits or business licenses until a fee is assessed and collected. Fees also apply to additional mobile homes in mobile home parks. Section 151.594 contains a lengthy description of the process for assessing fees, based on risk of fire and types of use. The county determined that residential uses have the least potential for damage by fire and are in the lowest risk level.
Section 151.596 contains the administrative procedures for the collection and disbursement of impact fees. Included in this section are the processes for granting variances, establishing segregated accounts for the fees, maintaining accounts, refunding unused fees, providing credits for fire facilities constructed by the developer, and allowing appeals. Section 151.999 provides for penalties for anyone who violates the ordinance. Punishment could include a fine of up to $300 and six months in jail for every day during which the code is violated.
To find the ordinance go to Title XV, Chapter 151 and scroll down to Fire and Rescue Fees.
This site was accessed in June 2006.
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