skip to main content
School Impact / Developer Fees

School Impact / Developer Fees

What are school Developer Fees?

  • Effective January 1, 1987, Assembly Bill 2926, Section 17620 in the California Government Code, authorized school districts to levy school developer fees on new, remodels and additions for residential and commercial/industrial development projects.

  • The legislation provides that no Building Permit may be issued until the school districts certify that any fees due have been paid.

  • School Developer Fees are a one-time fee that are not associated with and will not be added to your property taxes.
 

Why are these fees necessary?

  • Additional development projects within the District, whether new residential, commercial/industrial construction or reconstruction involving increases of an assessable area greater than 500 square feet, will increase the need for reconstruction and upgrades of school facilities.

  • Without the addition of new school facilities and/or reconstruction of present school facilities, any further residential and/or commercial/industrial development projects within the District will result in a significant decrease in the quality of education presently offered by the District.

  • Substantial residential development and commercial/industrial development is projected within the district’s boundaries, and the enrollment it would produce will exceed the capacity of the schools within the District.  As a result, conditions of overcrowding will exist and will impair the normal functioning of the district's educational programs.
 

What are the revenues collected for?

  • School Developer Fees can only be spent on capacity-enhancing capital facilities.
 

How are fees collected?

  • Fees are calculated based on new or added square footage from the outside wall dimensions of assessable space. The total is then divided 60% goes to the elementary school district, and 40% goes to the Sequoia Union High School District.
 

What if my plans change?


  • An increase to the original square footage previously submitted requires you to resubmit the revised plans for a reassessment of additional fees.  When submitting the revised plans, please include the goldenrod copy of the “Certification of Payment of Developer Fees” application receipt that you received from the District.

  • A decrease to the original square footage for fees that were previously paid will receive a refund for the difference. (Please allow 2 to 3 weeks)
 

Are fees refundable?

 
  • Yes.  All projects previously paid for, then canceled or abandoned, may, at any time, apply for a full refund from both the elementary school district and the Sequoia Union High School District.

  • The District requires a letter from the Building Official specifically stating the reason for the cancellation and/or abandonment and the address of the project. (Please allow 2 to 3 weeks)
 

How do I proceed and where to I go?

 
  • Please submit (1) set of floor plans that must be the original, full size drawings and must be to scale, to the Maintenance and Operations department of the District, located at 1090 Mills Way, in Redwood City. Our office hours are Monday – Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm.

  • Please Note:  We are no longer accepting floor plans by email.
 
  • If you are demolishing an existing structure(s), you will need to obtain a “unit appraisal record or hard copy,” from the County Assessors’ Office, located at 555 County Center, 1st Floor in Redwood City. Their phone number is (650) 363-4500.

  • For assistance, please call Susie Hendrick at (650) 369-1411 ext. 22203, shendrick@seq.org or Annette Ricci at (650) 369-1411 ext. 22290, aricci@seq.org.

  • Please allow 2 – 3 business days turnaround time for the calculation of fees. (Please note: Turnaround time may be delayed due to excessive applications or unexpected circumstances)

  • When returning to submit payment for your fees, please be sure to bring (2) checks with you.  (We cannot accept cash or credit cards for payment) One check is payable to the Sequoia Union High School District, and the second check is payable to the Elementary School District.

  • If your project is less than 500 square feet or “Exempt,” there is no fee due.  However, you are still required to submit your floor plans to the Maintenance & Operations Department for verification of the square footage. Please follow the same procedures as stated above.
 

Exclusions and Exemptions:


    • Covered but not enclosed space such as, patios and walkways
    • Garages and Carports
    • Barns and Green Houses
    • Church or Temple Sanctuaries

Government Buildings
    • Private Schools
    • Senior Citizen Housing
 
(Please include documentation of exempt / non-profit status with your application)
 
For more information, please call Susie Hendrick at (650) 369-1411 ext. 22203, shendrick@seq.org or Annette Ricci at (650) 369-1411 ext. 22290, aricci@seq.org
FEE RATES

FEE RATES

Legislation provides that "No building permits may be issued until the district's certify that any fees due have been paid."
 

Gross Square Footage (GSF) Calculation

The Gross Square Footage of assessable space is calculated from the outside of the exterior framing walls and is inclusive of all space within, minus areas that are open below. Basements are also included.
 
For more information, please look below for Instructions and Procedures
DEVELOPER FEES - FAQs

DEVELOPER FEES - FAQs

Click the button below to view frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Resolutions & Justification Report

Resolutions & Justification Report

Elementary School Districts

Elementary School Districts

  • Belmont-Redwood Shores
    2960 Hallmark Dr., Belmont 94002-2943 650.637.4800 Fax - 650.637.4811
  • Las Lomitas
    1011 Altschul Ave., Menlo Park 94025-6706 650.854.2880 Fax 650.854.0882
  • Menlo Park
    181 Encinal Ave., Atherton 94027-3102 650.321.7140 Fax 650.321.7184
  • Portola Valley
    4575 Alpine Rd., Portola Valley 94028-8040 650.851.1777 Fax 650.851.3700
  • Ravenswood
    2120 Euclid Ave. East Palo Alto 94303-1703 650.329.2800 Fax 650.323.1072
  • Redwood City
    750 Bradford St., Redwood City 94063-1727 650.423.2200 Fax 650.423.2294
  • San Carlos
    826 Chestnut St., San Carlos 94070-3802 650.508.7333 Fax 650.508.7340
  • Woodside
    3195 Woodside Rd., Woodside 94062-2598 650.851.1571 Fax 650.851.5577