Seattle Council Rejects Transportation Impact Fee

Councilmembers who opposed the proposal say the fee would have slowed housing development and raised housing costs.

1 minute read

November 28, 2023, 12:00 PM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


View of downtown Seattle with construction cranes and cloudy sky as seen from top of Space Needle.

jack-sooksan / Adobe Stock

The Seattle City Council voted against a proposal that would have paved the way for a transportation impact fee that would have imposed a charge on new developments.

According to an article in The Registry, “The proposed ordinance aimed to pave the way for a transportation impact fee geared toward constructing sidewalks and other vital infrastructure. Developers expressed concerns that such fees would elevate housing costs, contributing to the council’s close vote against the measure.” 

The article adds that the ordinance, which could come before the council again next year, did not immediately impose the fee, but “adjusted the comprehensive plan to outline potential strategies for its implementation.” However, housing advocates expressed concern that the fee could slow housing production and ultimately pass costs on to renters.

A transportation impact fee has been proposed in Seattle for over a decade. In an article in The Urbanist, Ryan Packer notes that “Seattle has long been an outlier in Washington in not having a transportation impact fee program, with over 70 other jurisdictions having fees of certain sizes in place, in addition to impact fees for other infrastructure like schools and parks.”

Monday, November 27, 2023 in The Registry

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

High-rise apartment buildings in Waikiki, Hawaii with steep green mountains in background.

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss

The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

April 6, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Two yellow and white Dallas Area Rapid Transit light rail streetcars at station in Dallas, Texas.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region

At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

April 3, 2025 - KERA News

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Aerial view of Spanish revival style buildings with red tile roofs in downtown Santa Barbara, California.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land

County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

7 hours ago - The Santa Barbara Independent

Green and white interstate freeway signs pointing to Hayward and San Mateo and Half Moon Bay exits in Northern California.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project

The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

April 9 - Streetsblog San Francisco

Kingsbridge Armory, large hangar-like brick building in the Bronx, New York City with brick lower floors and glass/metal curved roof..

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard

After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.

April 9 - Shelterforce Magazine