House & Home
Fri, February 6, 2026
Thu, February 5, 2026
California Seeks Development Fee Reform
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Published in House and Home on Thursday, February 5th 2026 at 21:06 GMT by Los Angeles Daily NewsLocales: California, UNITED STATES
Establish Statewide Fee Caps: Implementing reasonable caps on development fees, tied to actual infrastructure costs, would provide developers with greater certainty and predictability. Mandate Impact Assessments: Cities and counties should be required to conduct thorough and transparent impact assessments before imposing any new fees, demonstrating a clear link between the fees and the actual cost of infrastructure improvements. Standardize Fee Calculation Methods: A standardized methodology for calculating fees would level the playing field across the state and ensure greater fairness and consistency. Increase Transparency: All fee structures and impact assessments should be publicly accessible and easy to understand. Explore Alternative Funding Mechanisms: The state should explore alternative funding sources for infrastructure, such as bond measures or state-level taxes, to reduce reliance on development fees.
This isn't about eliminating the need for infrastructure funding. It's about creating a more sustainable, equitable, and predictable system that encourages housing production without unduly burdening potential homebuyers and developers. It's about recognizing that solving California's housing crisis requires a holistic approach, one that addresses not just zoning and density, but also the financial barriers that are currently preventing us from building the homes we need. The time for piecemeal solutions is over. California deserves - and needs - a comprehensive, statewide commitment to development fee reform.
Read the Full Los Angeles Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.dailynews.com/2026/02/04/editorial-california-needs-local-housing-fee-reform/ ]
