Pulaski board moves to adopt 2021 building code, approves new permit fee structure and sets parks-fee hearing

Pulaski's board advanced multiple agenda items related to building regulation and municipal fees. Members voted to adopt on first reading the 2021 edition of the International Building Code and scheduled a public hearing on Aug. 12, 2025. The board also adopted, on second and final reading, a revised building-permit fee schedule developed with the planning commission.

Planning commission staff presented the fee structure as a move to a per-square-foot basis for residential, commercial and industrial permits while leaving demolition fees unchanged. The board-approved residential rates include $0.75 per square foot for new residential construction, 50 cents per square foot for attached garages, carports, covered porches and covered decks, and a $250 minimum for additions. Accessory structures that require permits were set at 50 cents per square foot. Commercial and industrial rates remain differentiated in the ordinance text (specific tiered commercial/industrial figures were adopted in the ordinance document on file).

The board noted that the parks and recreation fee schedule had not previously been codified and that, going forward, fee schedules will be maintained as documents on file in the recorder—s office rather than embedded in the code book; that change is intended to simplify administrative updates. Council advanced the parks-and-recreation fees on first reading and set a public hearing for Aug. 12, 2025 at 12:10 p.m.

The board also discussed an inspection-fee policy change: if an inspector must return beyond the second inspection, the ordinance states staff cannot charge an additional reinspection fee after the second inspection (as recorded). Officials said the newly adopted approach results in similar total revenue to prior rates but simplifies billing and aligns permit charges with square footage rather than prior classifications.

Quotes from the meeting (as recorded): "On residential, it's 75¢ per square foot, 50¢ for attached garages, carports, covered porches, covered decks, and patios. $250 minimum or 50¢ a square foot of any type of addition." — staff presenting the adopted residential fee schedule.

Next steps: Publish the adopted building-permit fee schedule and notice of the two public hearings for Aug. 12, 2025. The planning and building departments will update application forms and billing procedures to reflect the per-square-foot structure.