Development Impact Fee Study

Lancaster County, South Carolina (herein referred to as the “County”) is soliciting proposals from experienced and qualified, independent firms (herein referred to as the “Contractor,” “Firm,” or “Proposer”) to review the County’s existing impact fee structure, conduct a new Impact Fee Study countywide and update the County’s existing Capital Improvements Plan (CIP).

Lancaster County is seeking a qualified consultant to update its Development Impact Fee Study, completed in 2020. Lancaster County has experienced continued growth since the last study and seeks to ensure its impact fee program remains equitable and aligned with current infrastructure needs and development trends.

The primary objective of this solicitation is to receive recommendations for changes to the current impact fees by service unit in order to comply with South Carolina state law (the “South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act”).

The successful Proposer(s) will be expected to enter into a contract with Lancaster County. The resulting contract(s) from this RFP will incorporate by reference this RFP document in its entirety and the successful Proposer(s)’s response to this RFP as well as any negotiated terms and conditions.

Lancaster County is located in the north central area of South Carolina and lies just south of the Charlotte/Mecklenburg metropolitan area and 60 miles north of Columbia, SC. With a population of close to 105,000 residents and expanding suburban development, particularly in the Panhandle region, the county faces increasing demands on public infrastructure and services. This growth has placed pressure on transportation, public safety, parks, and schools.

To ensure that new development contributes equitably to the cost of infrastructure expansion, Lancaster County has adopted Development Impact Fee Procedures in accordance with the “South Carolina Development Impact Fee Act” (SC Code § 6-1-910 et. Seq.). These procedures provide a legal framework for assessing fees on new development to fund capital improvements necessary to support growth.

Lancaster County previously implemented impact fees, in limited areas of the County, and now seeks to update its fee structure and methodology to reflect current growth patterns, infrastructure needs, and financial conditions. Lancaster County is committed to ensuring that its impact fee program is equitable and aligned with its Comprehensive Plan and capital improvement priorities. The study will serve as a foundational tool for guiding sustainable growth, maintaining service levels, and ensuring fiscal responsibility in Lancaster County’s development strategy.