Council passes emergency change to building permit fee schedule for fire-alarm inspections

Wilmington City Council passed an emergency ordinance Thursday to revise the city’s building permit fee schedule for fire alarm inspections, saying the previous rates could discourage projects or push contractors elsewhere.

Councilman Schlabaugh moved to advance Ordinance 25-31 and remove the existing fee levels for fire alarms; Councilman Knowles seconded. The council voted to suspend the rules and approved the ordinance by roll call; the ordinance passed as an emergency.

Service Director Crow told council the existing fees were excessive for some large projects: “If you have a million square foot building, you're talking about $45,000” for fire-alarm related fees, he said, adding that that level of cost “isn't gonna fly” for prospective developments. Council members said the higher fee schedule risked discouraging business investment and that revising the fee structure was intended to keep projects moving and maintain competitiveness with nearby jurisdictions.

Councilman Schlabaugh said the change was time-sensitive because several active projects were awaiting inspections and payment under the old fee schedule; without the change, inspections and project milestones could be delayed. After the ordinance passed, council gave second and third readings and approved it in the same meeting.

The ordinance’s emergency language means the revised fee schedule takes effect immediately; council did not quantify the new fee amounts on the meeting record. Council members said they will monitor the effect on development and return with further adjustments if the new schedule proves problematic.