Branson aldermen approve first reading to standardize building permit fees using ICC valuation table

Branson aldermen on Tuesday approved the first reading of ordinance 65-42, a revision to Chapter 18 of the Branson Municipal Code that changes how the city calculates building permit fees and adds several new flat-fee permit categories. The ordinance sets an implementation target of Oct. 1, 2025, to allow staff outreach and system updates.

City staff said the change replaces the current method — in which applicants supply an estimated construction value — with the International Code Council (ICC) building valuation table (August 2024). "The new fee structure will establish a consistent framework for calculating building permit fees to ensure clarity and consistency in permit fee calculations," Amanda, a member of the city's permitting staff, told the board during a detailed staff report.

Supporters said the new system narrows subjective variability and aligns Branson with nearby jurisdictions that already use ICC data. Building…