Dallas is about to dig a little deeper into the pockets of developers and property owners. The City of Dallas has announced a fee hike for development services, including permits required for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects. Slated to take effect on May 1, the increase is the city's first in nine years, a significant shift since fees were last adjusted in 2015.

The city is riding a high wave of growth, but with this expansion comes a price—the bump in service fees. Dallas officials claim the hike is needed to keep up with the administrative costs, and for the first time since 2015, the expanding complexity of projects demands a recalibration of the fee structure.

To maintain service quality and support sustainable growth, the Dallas City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapters 49, 51A, and 52 to implement the new fee schedule. This move, as stated by the City of Dallas, is aimed at enhancing efficiency by hiring additional staff and adopting new technology.

Andrew Espinoza, the director of Development Services, expressed his understanding of the implications of such increases. "However, we believe that this adjustment is necessary to maintain the high quality of services that Dallas is known for," Espinoza said, underscoring the importance of supporting growth responsibly, as per the City of Dallas.

To soften the blow, a permit fee estimator is now live on the Development Services website to help applicants gauge the cost of new permits under the adjusted fees. The revised fee schedule will apply to all permit applications submitted on or after the new May 1 effective date. For added clarity or assistance, DSD encourages contact with the department.

Should questions arise regarding the fee adjustments, Dallas residents and developers can reach out to Assistant Director Vernon Young at [email protected] or call 214-948-4059. Media inquiries can be directed to Communications & Outreach Manager Robyn Gerard at [email protected] or 214-948-4053.