Affordable Housing Fee Deferment Program
Summary
An architect told commissioners the city's permitting process has become so expensive and slow that a $16,340 conditional-use application killed a small daycare project downtown, and a $60,000 sprinkler requirement for a 2,000-square-foot building discouraged reuse of vacant commercial space.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 7
- Last 30 days
- 2
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 27, 2026.
Impact analysis
High fees and code requirements are pushing away small redevelopment projects like the proposed daycare.
Small business owners and developers if the city streamlines fees and review.
Local businesses facing thousands of dollars in fees just to explore a project, and vacant properties that sit unused.
Mentions & discussions (8)
Advisory Boards - Oct 27, 2026
A proposed program would defer certain development fees until a project gets its certificate of occupancy, contingent on a 20% affordable housing threshold. Members previously debated the 15-year affordability period, with some wanting longer protections.
City Commission - Oct 20, 2026
A resident spoke in favor of the Sandhill Villas contribution item on the consent agenda, saying affordable housing near Plaza del Sol is badly needed in the Kissimmee/Osceola area. The item passed with the rest of the consent agenda.
Advisory Boards - Jun 18, 2026
The school district's impact fee was flagged as a major cost barrier for affordable homes. Ideas include tiering or discounting fees for smaller homes, deferrals, and targeting incentives to developments that house school district employees.
City Commission - Jun 2, 2026
An architect told commissioners the city's permitting process has become so expensive and slow that a $16,340 conditional-use application killed a small daycare project downtown, and a $60,000 sprinkler requirement for a 2,000-square-foot building discouraged reuse of vacant commercial space.
Advisory Boards - May 21, 2026
Developers of affordable projects currently have to pay city impact fees upfront, straining construction loans at 6-8% interest. The committee recommended a deferral process to the certificate of occupancy — possibly saving a large tax-credit project over $1 million in carrying costs — while school and water fees stay off the table.
Advisory Boards - Mar 19, 2026
Habitat for Humanity's Lucie Ghioto told the committee building in Kissimmee costs $10,000-$20,000 more per unit than Orange County, mostly due to impact and permit fees — with school impact fees the biggest hurdle. Members want to keep pushing fee deferrals and reductions, noting the city's existing deferral policy is little-known to developers.
Advisory Boards - Feb 19, 2026
Staff gave a status rundown of every local incentive — expedited permitting, fee reductions, density bonuses, accessory dwelling units and more — setting the stage for the committee to pick which ones to dig into this year. Members signaled impact fee strategies as a top priority.
96-unit affordable housing project breaks ground in West Kissimmee, Osceola County and City of Kissimmee help fund development
96-unit affordable housing project breaks ground in West Kissimmee, Osceola County and City of Kissimmee help fund development Positively Osceola
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Kissimmee
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.