Legal Definitions - frontage assessment

A frontage assessment is a specific charge levied by a local government (such as a city or county) on properties that directly benefit from a public improvement. The amount of this assessment is calculated based on the length of the property's boundary that faces the improvement, often referred to as its 'frontage'. These assessments are typically used to fund public works projects that enhance the value or utility of the adjacent properties, such as new sidewalks, street paving, or the installation of utility lines.

Here are some examples to illustrate how frontage assessments work:

• Residential Sidewalk Installation: Imagine a quiet residential street, Maple Drive, where the city decides to install new sidewalks for the first time. The city council approves a plan to fund a portion of this project through frontage assessments. Each homeowner on Maple Drive receives a bill for an assessment, where the amount is determined by multiplying the length of their property's boundary along Maple Drive by a set rate per foot. For instance, a house with 75 feet of frontage would pay an assessment based on that 75-foot length, directly contributing to the cost of the sidewalk in front of their home.
• Commercial Street Improvement: A bustling commercial district decides to undergo a revitalization project, which includes widening the main thoroughfare, repaving the road, and adding new streetlights. To help cover the costs, the city imposes a frontage assessment on all commercial properties situated along this main street. A restaurant with 100 feet of frontage on the improved street would be assessed based on that measurement, reflecting the direct benefit it receives from improved access, visibility, and aesthetic appeal for its customers.
• Utility Line Extension: Consider a developing area where a municipal water main needs to be extended down a new road to serve several undeveloped lots that are slated for future construction. The local water authority might levy a frontage assessment on these undeveloped properties. A landowner with 200 feet of frontage along the newly installed water main would pay an assessment proportional to that length. This charge helps fund the infrastructure that now provides direct access to public water services, significantly increasing the property's value and development potential.