While enrollment has remained steady in recent years, future development is forecasted to bring more students, and with them, the possibility of upgrading aging facilities and building new spaces like kindergarten and transitional kindergarten classrooms. Ukiah Unified School District is responding to this anticipated growth by reviewing and proposing an update to its developer fees, charges paid by property owners and developers to help offset the impact of new construction on school facilities. The developer fees ensure that schools can grow alongside the community without shifting the burden to local taxpayers.
Developer fees are a one-time fee usually paid when a city or county issues a building permit. These fees are used by school districts across California to fund classroom construction, modernization, and infrastructure upgrades. In Ukiah Unified, more than 91% of portable classrooms are already beyond their expected lifespan. Replacing or upgrading those facilities is essential to maintain safe, functional learning environments as enrollment grows.
The new study confirms that Ukiah Unified is justified in collecting the maximum developer fees currently allowed by the State of California, which remain:
- $5.17 per square foot for residential construction
- $0.84 per square foot for commercial/industrial construction
- $0.06 per square foot for mini-storage construction
The District’s updated Developer Fee Justification Study will be discussed at the August 14, 2025 Board Meeting and is scheduled for Board consideration and potential adoption on September 11, 2025. Both meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Ukiah Unified Boardroom, 511 S. Orchard Avenue. The full Developer Fee Justification Study is included in the August 14 Board packet, available on BoardDocs or by request from the District Office.