The St. Johns Board of County Commissioners is moving closer to creating a new fee that would make developers help pay for land conservation efforts.
On Tuesday, the commission unanimously approved the proposal in its first vote. The second reading is now scheduled for their December 2 meeting for final passage.
The impact fee would begin in 2026 and be gradually phased in over several years until it reaches the full amount allowed by Florida law.
Impact fees are payments that developers make to local governments to help cover the attendant costs of new construction, including impacts on traffic, schools, and other public services.
In this case, the money would go toward purchasing land for conservation — areas that the county wants to shield from development and that could be used as parks, trails, or natural open space.
The fee would be based on the size of the new home or building. According to the official St. Johns County schedule:
- Homes under 800 sq ft: $295
- 801–1,250 sq ft: $325
- 1,251–1,800 sq ft: $473
- 1,801–2,500 sq ft: $606
- 2,501–3,750 sq ft: $772
- 3,751–5,000 sq ft: $892
- Over 5,000 sq ft: $962
Officials estimate the new fee could bring in about $3 million annually once it is fully realized.
The proposal has enjoyed wide public support, reflecting community interest in protecting natural areas.
Not all stakeholders were in favo,r however.
Austin Nicklas, representing the Northeast Florida Builders Association, raised several concerns, including that the fee could violate Senate Bill 180, which prohibits burdensome land development regulations before October 1, 2027.
He also criticized the proposal for targeting new housing to fund conservation lands used by all residents and suggested a more equitable approach could be modeled on Clay County’s voter-approved conservation tax.
Supporters of the fee said they are warranted given the pace of development in St. Johns County and the accompanying loss of open space.
