Bill would allow county to waive impact fees on homes smaller than 800 square feet as a means of increasing affordable housing. 

The Frederick County Council is considering a bill that would allow impact fees to be waived for “tiny houses” to help diversify the pool of housing types and increase affordability.

These one-time fees — which support expansion of facilities such as libraries and schools for new developments — typically range from over $6,000 for a condo to a little over $15,000 for a single family home.

The Frederick News-Post reports:

“This comes from the general need to diversify our housing types” and address affordability gaps that linger throughout the county, Councilwoman Jessica Fitzwater (D) said at the workshop Tuesday.

…

The county felt that waiving the impact fees for these units was appropriate because these units are unlikely to have schoolchildren living in them.

While the bill is still being workshopped, the article notes that eligible dwellings would still have to meet certain requirements and annual inspections.

Read the full article for more information.