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Mountain town nestled below Flatirons. Residential community in Boulder, Colorado with dramatic Rocky Mountain backdrop.

<h2>Inclusionary Housing / Redevelopment Impact Fee</h2><p>Date of Vote: November 7, 2025</p><h2>What happened:</h2><p>City Council voted <strong>(7-2)</strong> to approve a new $11-per-square-foot impact fee on single-family home demolitions, replacements, and large additions. The money will go toward Boulder's affordable-housing fund as part of the city's inclusionary-housing program.&nbsp;</p><p>Homes under 2,000 square feet and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are exempt, and the first 500 square feet of an addition is excluded. Staff estimate the fee could generate around $1.2 million annually for affordable-housing initiatives.</p><figure id="figure-a5mck9v0fmhwjp7mp" data-full-width=""><img id="a5mck9v0fmhwjp7mp" src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cHjgnY918tkD3lXv2pJ80VoVGoJyOklxh0fgsCiAAPIwrK6gxlqOGTHLS8SWtzm.png" alt="boulder cityscape" title="boulder cityscape" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-2xl md:rounded-3xl lg:rounded-4xl selected" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-corners="large" data-aspect="16:9" data-caption="" data-positionx="null" data-positiony="null" data-fullwidth="true" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/blocks/2cHjgnY918tkD3lXv2pJ80VoVGoJyOklxh0fgsCiAAPIwrK6gxlqOGTHLS8SWtzm.png" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9; object-position: center center;" data-mce-selected="1"></figure><p><br data-mce-bogus="1"></p><h2>Why it matters:<br></h2><p>This ordinance extends inclusionary-housing requirements into the single-family redevelopment space - an area previously not subject to such fees. Supporters argue it helps offset the loss of smaller, more affordable homes and ensures that wealthier redevelopment contributes to the city's affordability goals.</p><figure id="figure-cl6i6cgf7mhwjpctw"><img id="cl6i6cgf7mhwjpctw" src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2FPgqoRbhDuTWTNK46aq8Zac5Cqvyr6VUcJReNAvSr26Ph1LNabyBu9jyVdfmiUV.jpeg" alt="affordable housing" class="object-cover bg-gray-100 rounded-sm md:rounded-md lg:rounded-lg" style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;" data-mce-src="https://cdn.durable.co/getty/2FPgqoRbhDuTWTNK46aq8Zac5Cqvyr6VUcJReNAvSr26Ph1LNabyBu9jyVdfmiUV.jpeg" data-mce-style="aspect-ratio: 16/9;"></figure><p>Opponents, however, warned that this adds another financial burden on long-time residents trying to renovate, expand, or stay in their homes - particularly seniors and families.</p><h2>Jenny's Take:<br></h2><p>I would have voted <strong>no</strong> on this measure. Not because I oppose funding affordable housing - <em>I strongly support it - </em>but because I believe this particular approach crosses a line that makes it harder for existing residents to remain in Boulder. Boulder cannot afford to keep over-charging the very people who make this city a community.</p><p><br></p>

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Boulder's New Impact Fee: How they voted