New Public Safety Impact Fees Begin July 1

The City of Las Cruces' new public safety impact fees go into effect July 1 on permits for new residential and commercial construction projects within city limits.

Public safety impact fees are assessed on new permits obtained for the construction of new homes or commercial projects. The purchase of preexisting homes or commercial properties do not usually contain impact fees.

By law, the City must review and update impact fees every five years. Las Cruces City Council approved the new impact fees by unanimous consent during its June 21, 2022, public meeting.

The fees are used to help offset the increased demand for public safety projects. In recent years, the fees have helped purchase a new fire engine for the Las Cruces Fire Department and they paid for a portion of the debt service for the East Mesa Public Safety Complex.

Beginning July 1, impact fees for new residential construction will be $516 for dwellings less than 1,300 square feet, $938 for dwellings 1,301 to 2,100 square feet, and $1,231 for dwellings larger than 2,101 square feet.

Non-residential impact fees for each room of a hotel or motel is $222. Other non-residential impact fees are calculated per 1,000 square feet of construction and assessed per square foot: commercial/retail, $1,364; office, $2,098; institutional, $1,821; industrial, $1,010; and warehouse or storage units, $206.

Public safety impact fees for new non-residential construction vary depending on the project and can be determined by contacting the Las Cruces Fire Department at (575) 528-3473.