Impact fees are the checks you must write to satisfy community infrastructure requirements — before you even put a shovel in the ground. These fees can cover improvements to water and wastewater systems (AKA tap fees), affordable housing fees, fees in lieu of parkland dedication, tree removal mitigation fees, or any number of other impacts that compel local communities to charge for the price of development. These soft costs may not be part of your development plan, but they are common and it’s wise to anticipate them in your budgeting.