New homes in South Placer communities to pay increased fee for fire services

Placer County officials approved an increase to a fee for the South Placer Fire District Tuesday, which applies to every new residence and commercial structure built within the district’s service area, including the communities of Granite Bay, Loomis, Penryn and Newcastle.

The fee, known as the fire impact fee, “is to provide funding for the new and expanded fire facilities, apparatus, vehicles, and equipment required as a direct result of the increase in fire service demands brought on by new development,” meeting documents said.

The fee increased by 5.7%, which amounts to roughly 5 cents more per square foot for every new home and structure built. So developers of a new single-family home will pay 86 cents per square foot, and developers of an office building will pay $1.80 per square foot.

The resolution also instituted an annual increase in the fee to automatically adjust for inflation. The increase will take place on July 1 for each fiscal year, according to meeting documents.

Dave Atkinson, assistant director of emergency medical services for the county, said the fee applies to new construction only.

“This is a fee that’s born by new development to offset the cost of providing new services,” he said.

Supervisor Suzanne Jones said existing residents pay a separate annual fee $70 per year in taxes to fund the fire district and its employees.

The South Placer Fire District provides emergency medical services and fire protection to nearly 42,000 residents and covers approximately 55 square miles.