License/Excise Tax

What is the License/Excise Tax

The Road Financing Plan was developed to provide a funding mechanism for the City of Lee’s Summit’s major street network and involves three (3) revenue sources: ½ cent transportation sales tax, ½ cent capital improvements sales tax, and the road excise tax (or license tax). The license tax was approved by the voters of Lee’s Summit on November 4, 1997 and became effecting on April 1, 1998.  This license tax is a form of an infrastructure impact fee on applicable new development, redevelopment, development expansion, and change of use throughout the City as programmed in the capital improvement plan. These funds are used for streets, roads, bridges, and other transportation related improvements, generally identified in the Thoroughfare Master Plan.

Commercial Permit and License Tax Application

License Tax Calculation

Additional vehicle trips are calculated during the afternoon peak-hour time period when traffic volume on adjacent streets is highest and street capacity is most impacted. The license tax is calculated by multiplying the number of units times the trip rate to determine the total trips generated. The total trips generated is then multiplied by the tax rate producing the total tax liability.

Step 1: Number of Units x Trip Rate = Total Trips

Step 2: Total Trips x Tax Rate = Total Tax Liability

To determine the number of units you must first determine the appropriate landuse for the project. The City of Lee’s Summit has adopted the most recent version of the ITE Trip Generation Manual, which covers the most common types of development in the City. For uses not listed, staff will utilize information in the ITE Manual to find a comparable use.  In residential developments, vehicle trips are based on the number of living units while commercial developments are based on units per 1,000 square feet of building area.

Fee Estimation Tool

License Tax Payment

For residential development, the license tax is paid prior to or at the time of building permit issuance.

There are several payment options for payment of the license tax for non-residential development. These options are as follows.

  • The license tax can be paid prior to issuance of the building permit.
  • The license tax payment can be deferred to a later date for non-residential uses, but must be paid prior to receiving a temporary or final Certificate of Occupancy on a structure.
  • The license tax payment can be deferred to the tenant finish permits on a shell building developments.
  • The license tax can be placed on a four (4) year payment plan. Payment plans require a bank letter of credit for the full amount due, incur interest, and may be prepaid without penalty. Contact the Development Services Staff at 816.969.1200 for additional information on this arrangement.

License Tax Credits

The applicant may request a tax credit for the development based on the following categories:

  • Public Body - A credit in the amount of the full tax will be granted for development constructed by, or by a building contractor on behalf of, a public body for its governmental use.
  • School District - A credit in the amount of the full tax will be granted for development constructed by, or by a building contractor on behalf of, a school district of the state.
  • Damaged Facility - A credit in the amount of the full tax will be granted for development rebuilding an involuntarily damaged or destroyed building, provided that such building does not result in additional vehicle trips.
  • Tax Exempt Entities - A credit in the amount of the full tax will be granted for development constructed by, or by a building contractor on behalf of, an entity that is not subject to any federal, state, or local taxes including sales, income, personal property, real property, use license, and earnings taxes.
  • Change of Use (full) - A credit in the amount of the full tax will be granted to a building contractor that requests a building permit that is required for a change of use within an existing building that does not generate more traffic than the previous use.
  • Change of Use (partial) - A partial credit will be granted to a building contractor that requests a building permit that is required for a change of use, the credit shall only be granted for the number of trips that were generated by the previous approved use during the p.m. peak time period and the new trips generated shall be subject to the tax.
  • Redevelopment - A credit will be granted to a building contractor that requests a building permit that results in the redevelopment of property.  Redevelopment shall apply to development activity that results in the demolition of one or more buildings and the subsequent construction of one or more new buildings on the property, provided that the complete building permit application for a building permit to construct the new building(s) to replace the existing building(s) is filed within six (6) months following demolition of the existing building(s).  The credit shall only be granted for the number of trips that were generated by the previous building(s) during the p.m. peak time period and the new additional trips generated by the new buildings shall be subject to the tax.

The City will determine eligibility for the requested credit. Contact Public Works staff at 816.969.1800 for additional information regarding license tax credits.