Wicomico County on impact of residential construction fees

The Wicomico County council voted today on impact fees related to residential construction. These residential fees have a variety of purposes in Wicomico County, including covering the costs of capital improvement and helping to pay for public services for new homes and neighborhoods 

However, the impact fees are more than $5,000 for a single family home. Wicomico County Executive, Bob Culver, proposed getting rid of this burden when he was first elected. So, in 2016 the fees were restricted until December 31st. Now, as that date is rapidly approaching, the County Council will decide whether or not to repeal.

Joe Wilson is on the Board of Directors for the Coastal Association of Realtors and he believes repealing the fees would lead to an increase of home construction in the County. He says, “Before that housing moratorium, we had next to no new housing starts in Wicomico County.”