Montgomery County, PA

In 1993, the County Commissioners passed an ordinance to increase the recording fees of deeds and mortgages to support the County’s local affordable housing efforts.  It did so under enabling legislation from the state, which authorized all counties, except Philadelphia to double their existing recording fees.
The funds raised under such an ordinance are to be deposited in the general fund of the County.  The increased revenues must be used to fund affordable housing.  Affordable housing efforts are defined in the Act as any program or project duly approved by the County Commissioners which increases the availability of quality housing, either sales or rental, to any county resident whose annual income is less than the County median income.

The ordinance provides that a minimum of 85% of the additional revenues go into the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to fund housing developments and programs. The County may use the remainder of the additional fees for administrative costs associated with these efforts.  To date, the Trust Fund realizes annual revenues of at least $1,000,000.