Lake City adopts ordinance to simplify building permit fees; electricians voice safety concerns

Lake City lawmakers on the dais approved Ordinance 2025-2323, a rewrite of the city’s building-permit code intended to replace square-foot fee calculations with largely flat fees and to clarify permitting, insurance and licensure requirements. The council voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance after a public comment and brief staff exchange.

The ordinance “pertain[s] to building regulations, contracting, permitting, licensure, and insurance,” City Attorney Clay Martin read by title before public comment. The item drew a public speaker who said the change could carry safety risks. Don Hollingsworth, an electrical contractor who told the council he has worked in Lake City for more than 30 years, said higher permit fees and an exemption for small jobs would push some work into the “backstreet” and raise safety hazards. “If you start not requiring permits on certain jobs, you’re gonna create a problem of people’s houses burning down electrically and stuff,” Hollingsworth said.

City staff responded that the ordinance was intended to correct a fee structure that had produced erratic, sometimes very large charges under the previous square-foot system. “This ordinance actually fixes the higher prices that Mr. Hollingsworth has been seeing as well as other contractors,” said Scott Thompson, a city staff member speaking for the proposal. Thompson said current calculations sometimes resulted in fees of $800, $900 or even $3,000 for relatively small jobs because the fee formula used whole-house square footage. Under the new schedule, Thompson said, many routine permits would be set at flat rates — he cited examples in discussion that should be near $129 or $159 rather than the larger amounts contractors had reported.

Thompson also addressed whether the ordinance contains a permanent exclusion for jobs under $5,000. “There’s not an exclusion for a permanent exclusion for jobs under $5,000,” he told the council, adding that staff would continue discussions with local contractors and with the city attorney to ensure any future changes are legal and safe. Council members asked follow-up questions about windows, doors and other specific items; Thompson said the new system establishes set prices for many items so contractors “know upfront exactly what to expect.”

The council then voted to adopt Ordinance 2025-2323. After the motion and second, the city clerk called the roll: Council member Carter — yes; Council member Harris — yes; Vice Mayor Young — yes; Council member Ricky Jernigan — yes; Mayor Walker — yes. The ordinance was approved unanimously.

Discussion vs. formal action: the record shows public concern about permitting thresholds and fire risk (discussion only). Staff stated the ordinance contains no permanent exemption for jobs under $5,000 and pledged continued outreach to local contractors (direction). The council’s roll-call vote approved the ordinance as written (formal action).

Council members and the mayor also asked staff to continue outreach with the local builders’ association and to consider periodic workshops so contractors can provide feedback before finalizing fee details.

What remains open: Thompson said staff will work with contractors and the city attorney on implementation details and on any additional changes the council might later consider. The ordinance itself does not, based on staff comments in the meeting, create a permanent waiver for work under $5,000; whether the city will adopt a temporary or targeted exemption at a later date was not decided at the meeting.

Ending: With broad council support, the city moved to a flat-fee approach intended to make permit costs more predictable for homeowners and contractors. Contractors who testified asked the city to ensure the change does not lead to unsafe, unpermitted work; staff said they will continue consultations before and during implementation.