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• Authority for DIFs
• Calculating & Assessing DIFs
• Fee Deferral Program
• Voluntary Construction of Facilities
• Public Facilities 
• DIF Resources and Ordinance Archive Page
• Other District Agency Fees

The City of Chula Vista has experienced tremendous growth in recent decades that brings demand for additional public facilities to meet the needs of residents, workers, consumers, and all those who visit our beautiful city. To ensure new growth pays its proportionate share of needed expansions and upgrades to infrastructure and facilities, the City assesses Development Impact Fees (DIFs) and in-lieu fees on building permits for new development in the City. 

Authority for DIFs

In California, the Mitigation Fee Act (Government Code §§66000-66025) and the Quimby Act (Government Code §66477) allow the City to assess DIFs and in-lieu fees. The fee rates are calculated to ensure that they are assessed proportional to the impact created by new development, and the proceeds from these fees can only be spent on expanding or upgrading infrastructure that can be used by the occupants of the new development in the DIF’s “area of benefit.” 

The City's General Plan Land Use Element and Growth Management Program provide the framework for the assessment and collection of DIFs and in-lieu fees.

Calculating & Assessing DIFs

Fees are calculated by identifying a connection between the need for the new or expanded public facilities paid for by the DIF and the forecasted impact of growth in that DIF’s area of benefit. Fees are adjusted annually, effective October 1, usually using Engineering News Record's (ENR) Historical Construction Cost Indices (CCI). DIFs may be periodically reviewed and updated by City Council to accommodate rising construction costs and changes in growth or need for facilities. 

Since not all areas have the same infrastructure and facility needs, some DIFs apply to development projects citywide, while others apply only in certain geographic areas. 

• DIF Boundaries Map
• Master Fee Schedule
• Sewer Fees (12-100) - Connection & Capacity
• Development & In-Lieu Fees (16-100)
• Vehicle Trip Generation Table (16-200)

Request for Meeting Notice

The City is required by Government code section 66006(b)(1) to make financial information about the development impact fee funds available to the public annually. Should you wish to request a notice of the City Council meeting when this information is reviewed, please complete this form using the link below. Notice must be renewed annually by April 1st of each year.

• Request a Notice

Fee Deferral Program

The City’s fee deferral program has allowed developers to defer certain development impact fees that are usually due at time of permit issuance until the date of final inspection. However, if the City determines that public improvements or facilities serving that area are needed prior to such dates, the associated fees or charges may be required at an earlier time. View the notice of the deferred DIF program to see which are eligible for deferral.

References:

• Ordinance 2014-3324
• Ordinance 2010-3163

Industrial, commercial and high density residential (for-rent) projects located in Western Chula Vista and the Chula Vista Auto Park have the ability to defer certain DIF fees beyond Certificate of Occupancy by annexing into the Western Chula Vista Community Facilities District  (CFD 17-I). The program allows the fees to be deferred for ten years, with repayment in years eleven through thirty.  Deferred fees accrue interest at two percent (2%) per annum.

References:

• Ordinance 2016-3365

Voluntary Construction of Facilities

Developers have the option to design and construct all or a portion of their obligation of public facilities required for their development. If they do so, they may receive credit for their costs of designing and constructing the facilities that can be used to pay the DIFs that would have paid for those facilities. The City must first agree in writing to the amount of the credit prior to any expenditures, and the amount must not exceed the actual cost of that particular facility. The City may update the DIF calculation as the City deems appropriate prior to any agreement of fee credits.

• Reimbursement Processes
• DIF Credit Reimbursement Procedures (coming soon)
• Reimbursement Template (Excel)
• Trust Account Credit Allocation Form

Public Facilities

Government Public Facilities (PFDIF) (CVMC 3.50)

With new development comes the need for additional City provided public facilities to ensure that existing public facilities are not overwhelmed by the demands of larger populations and service areas.  Assessing the PFDIF on all new development is necessary in order to protect the public safety and welfare, thereby ensuring effective implementation of the City’s General and Strategic Plans.