Guide · schedules checked Nov 8, 2026
Ohio impact fees by county
As of Nov 9, 2026, Groundwork has the published fee schedule for 3 jurisdictions in Ohio, each from the jurisdiction's own document. For one new single-family home, the 3 water capacity fee schedules in force run from $1,850 for City of Obetz water system (water only) to $2,011 for Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering service area (water only). Ohio has no state law that lets counties charge impact fees on new homes; some cities charge their own. A new home on public water or sewer pays the system's capacity (tap) charges when it connects; the figures here are water capacity charges, and sewer capacity charges are separate.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clermont County Water Resources service area (water only)Water capacity fee | $1,970 | Since Oct 1, 2011 | Source |
| City of Obetz water system (water only)Water capacity fee | $1,850 | Since Apr 1, 2026 | Source |
| Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering service area (water only)Water capacity fee | $2,011 | In force on Nov 8, 2026 | 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
- Clermont County Water Resources service area (water only): Water system capacity charge for a single-family residence; the county's sewer capacity charge ($3,340, or $3,180 on non-centralized sewer) is separate.
- City of Obetz water system (water only): Water system capacity rate charge for a 3/4-inch meter, the smallest on the schedule; the sewer system capacity charge ($7,784 for 3/4-inch, of which $3,892 is the City of Columbus share) and meter, tap inspection and front-footage fees are separate.
- Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering service area (water only): Water capacity fee for a 3/4-inch water tap, paid before the connection; the county's sewer capacity fee ($4,281 for a 3/4-inch tap) and the $85 inspection fee are separate.
The law
Ohio has no state law that lets counties charge impact fees on new homes; some cities charge their own. A new home on public water or sewer pays the system's capacity (tap) charges when it connects; the figures here are water capacity charges, and sewer capacity charges are separate.
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 Ohio charge impact fees on a new home?
Ohio has no state law that lets counties charge impact fees on new homes; some cities charge their own. A new home on public water or sewer pays the system's capacity (tap) charges when it connects; the figures here are water capacity charges, and sewer capacity charges are separate. Whether a home pays, and how much, depends on the county, city or utility; the table lists each schedule Groundwork has checked.
Which Ohio jurisdiction in the table charges the most?
Of the 3 water capacity fee schedules in force on Nov 9, 2026, Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering service area (water only) is highest, at up to $2,011 for one new single-family home; source: Franklin County, Ohio: Water and Sewer Capacity Fees (Department of Sanitary Engineering).
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.