Guide · schedules checked Nov 7, 2026
North Carolina impact fees by county
As of Nov 9, 2026, Groundwork has the published fee schedule for 3 jurisdictions in North Carolina, each from the jurisdiction's own document. For one new single-family home, the 3 water and sewer system development fee schedules in force run from $5,735 for Cape Fear Public Utility Authority service area to $12,870 for Johnston County Public Utilities (county water and sewer customers). In North Carolina a new home on public water and sewer pays the utility's system development fees, set under the Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act.
Fees on one new single-family home
Status on Nov 9, 2026. A per-square-foot tax is shown with its total for a 2,000 sq ft home.
| Who charges it | One new home | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnston County Public Utilities (county water and sewer customers)Water and sewer system development fees | $12,870 | In force on Sep 1, 2026 | Source |
| Charlotte Water service areaWater and sewer system development fees | $6,519 | From Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 | Source |
| Cape Fear Public Utility Authority service areaWater and sewer system development fees | $5,735 | From Jul 1, 2026 to Jun 30, 2027 | Source |
A county or city not named on this page is not tracked yet, which does not mean it charges nothing.
What each figure covers
- Johnston County Public Utilities (county water and sewer customers): Residential 3/4-inch water service: water system development fee $8,980 + sewer system development fee $3,890; tap ($1,000 from 9/1/2026) and meter ($395) fees are extra. Commercial: Non-residential water SDF by meter: 1-inch $22,450, 2-inch $71,840.
- Charlotte Water service area: 5/8-inch domestic meter: water system development fee $1,453 + sewer system development fee $5,066; the water connection fee ($4,407) is extra.
- Cape Fear Public Utility Authority service area: 5/8-inch meter: water system development charge $2,270 + sewer system development charge $3,465; meter and connection fees are extra.
The law
In North Carolina a new home on public water and sewer pays the utility's system development fees, set under the Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act. G.S. 162A Article 8.
Every figure is the jurisdiction's own published schedule, linked in its row; confirm with the jurisdiction before you rely on it. Florida: Florida impact fees by county.
Questions
Does North Carolina charge impact fees on a new home?
In North Carolina a new home on public water and sewer pays the utility's system development fees, set under the Public Water and Sewer System Development Fee Act. Whether a home pays, and how much, depends on the county, city or utility; the table lists each schedule Groundwork has checked.
Which North Carolina jurisdiction in the table charges the most?
Of the 3 water and sewer system development fee schedules in force on Nov 9, 2026, Johnston County Public Utilities (county water and sewer customers) is highest, at up to $12,870 for one new single-family home; source: Johnston County Public Utilities: Current Active Fee Schedule (Active Date: September 1, 2026).
Do I pay these fees when I buy vacant land?
No. They are due while a new home is built: at the building permit in most places, before the certificate of occupancy in some, and a utility fee when the home connects to water and sewer. They belong in the cost of building, not the land price.
Does a county missing from the table charge nothing?
Not necessarily. A county or city that is not listed has not been checked yet; ask its building or planning department.