As Santa Clarita continues to grow, the cost to keep up with fire protection is going up too.

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved an increase to developer fees Tuesday that help fund new fire stations and emergency resources across the Santa Clarita Valley.

The updated fee will rise to $1.7601 per square foot, an increase of just under nine cents, and is expected to take effect June 1, 2026, pending local adoption.

The fee applies to new development, not existing homeowners, and is designed to ensure fire protection services keep pace with population growth.

Although the fee applies directly to the developers, it can indirectly impact homebuyers as builders factor the added cost into new home prices.

Officials say the increase is part of a routine annual adjustment tied to inflation and rising construction and equipment costs.

The funding goes directly toward building and outfitting fire stations in high-growth areas like Santa Clarita, where demand for emergency services continues to climb.

The developer fee program brings in about $4.1 million each year, though that amount can fluctuate depending on the level of construction, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. 

Those funds can only be used for major projects – like buying land, building fire stations and purchasing equipment – helping maintain current services while also preparing for future growth with projects planned or already underway across the region.

Officials emphasize the increase does not impact the county’s general fund, as fire protection services are funded separately.

The move comes as Santa Clarita remains one of the county’s fastest-growing areas, where officials say expanding fire resources is critical to maintaining response times and protecting residents.

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