Logo courtesy of Yuba County

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) – Building a home in the Loma Rica/Browns Valley area will cost more following an Oct. 13 vote by the Yuba County Board of Supervisors.

The board approved new fire impact fees of $1.84 per square foot for single-family residences, replacing rates of 99 cents for houses without sprinklers and 49 cents for those equipped with them. Multifamily dwellings will be charged $2.87 per square foot.

Yuba County Chief Building Official Dave Maddux said the district's previous assessments were based on a 2008 study that classified structures according to their use and whether they had fire sprinklers.

"The purpose of the fire impact fee ensures new development contributes to the facilities and equipment necessary to accommodate the additional demand," Maddux said.

The revised schedule also establishes charges of $1.66 per square foot for commercial construction and $1.57 for agricultural and industrial buildings. The program includes a 3% administrative fee.

The updated system replaces the previous classifications with charges based on land use. Accessory dwelling units of 750 square feet or less are exempt, along with small garages, carports, barns and similar structures that meet the size limitation.

During the public hearing, a supervisor questioned how nonhabitable buildings would be classified and whether future increases would require additional approval.

Maddux explained that the program includes annual inflation adjustments, while state law requires supporting studies to be updated at least every eight years.

The revenue can be used to expand fire stations, purchase apparatus and equipment, or reimburse the district for qualifying improvements. County officials said the money cannot pay for routine operations, maintenance or existing deficiencies that do not increase service capacity.

Although the Loma Rica/Browns Valley Community Services District provides fire protection, it cannot independently impose development impact fees. Yuba County must approve the assessments on its behalf and will collect them through the building permit process.

No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Supervisors approved the resolution with one opposing vote.

Maddux said Yuba County has eight fire protection districts, and additional fee revisions could come before supervisors as other districts update their assessments.