A development impact fee (DIF) is a monetary exaction charged by local government to a developer in connection with implementation of approved projects. Impact fees vary widely across localities. With the passage of the 1987 Mitigation Fee Act (Act) [Government Code Section 66000 and following], the State of California recognized both the rising costs associated with the infrastructure to serve the built environment communities need and the impact of population increase on local jurisdictions. The Mitigation Fee Act secured a system for identifying and collecting certain fees, dedications, reservations, and other exactions that local jurisdictions could regularly impose when properties are developed.

On March 2, 2020, a Request for Proposals (RFP) was released for an impact fee study (the Study). The purpose of the requested Study was to ensure appropriate fees would be assessed for necessary future improvements and updates within Bell Gardens boundaries. The Study established that DIF revenue must be spent on new facilities or expansion of current facilities to serve new development. The Study also identified maximum justified DIFs to fund the anticipated amount required to fund $46.8 million of Bell Gardens planned future facilities and expanded services.

On October 10, 2022, the Bell Gardens City Council unanimously voted to adopt the Study and conducted a public hearing to consider adoption of Ordinance No. 928 to amend Title 3 of the Bell Gardens Municipal Code. Chapter 3.27, “Development Impact Fees," became effective on November 24, 2022 and a subsequent DIF schedule was adopted by Resolution No. 2022-121.

For information on current DIFs, please contact the City of Bell Gardens Community Development Department:

City of Bell Gardens
Community Development Department
7100 Garfield Avenue
Bell Gardens, CA 90201

Building & Safety Division: (562) 806-7729

Planning Division: (562) 806-7722

DIF collection and utilization are recognized as tools to steward the public’s resources, foster economic prosperity, opportunity, meet identified needs, and improve the quality of life while protect the public health, safety, and welfare.

A DIF calculator is available to help create a DIF estimate: DIF Calculator Here

Select a land use from the drop-down menu, and then input the number of building square feet for a proposed project. This can be done for multiple land uses, like in a mixed-use project. The estimated fees would be calculated separately for the residential and commercial portions of the proposed project.