Renters, landlords, and small investors in Garland could all feel the effects of a proposed permit fee increase that would nearly quadruple the annual cost of renting out a single-family home — and that’s just one piece of a broader set of cost changes headed toward residents this budget cycle.
Under the proposed FY 2026-27 budget, the annual single-family rental permit fee would rise from $65 to $250 — part of a broader package of fee hikes and utility rate adjustments tied to what the city describes as a built-out city with limited room to grow its tax base.
Why Garland says it needs more revenue
The city’s budget presentation puts the challenge plainly: Garland sits roughly $90 million below average in annual tax revenue compared to peer cities, with low population growth and almost no undeveloped land left to build on.
State law — specifically Senate Bill 2 — caps how much the city can grow its operating property tax revenue each year, working out to about $2 million annually…