Council codifies appeals process for building-official decisions and sets refundable $150 fee

Staff proposed clarifying the procedure and adding a fee for appeals of decisions by the building official. The proposed ordinance formalizes the application process, submission requirements and a fee to ensure appellants are serious and to offset staff time. Council amended the staff recommendation during debate by lowering the fee from the proposed $300 to $150 and adding a requirement that the fee be refunded if the appellant prevails.