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Royal Oak unveils RENO pilot to waive permit fees for green, affordable and aging-in-place home projects
Summary
Economic Development Director Meg Truba introduced RENO, a pilot to waive building and inspection permit fees for residential projects that advance sustainability, affordability or aging-in-place goals, with a potential Oct. 28 launch pending commission approval.
Economic Development Director Meg Truba presented a new residential incentive pilot called RENO — Residential Enhancement and Neighborhood Opportunity — that would waive city building and inspection permit fees for qualifying residential projects aligned with the city’s master plan and sustainability priorities.
Truba said the program covers three focus areas: green neighborhoods (solar PV, EV-ready electrical upgrades, high-efficiency HVAC and water-saving fixtures), affordable housing (accessory dwelling units, finished basements, water heater and sewer repairs, kitchen/bath upgrades) and aging in place (ramps, widened doorways, stair lifts, tub-to-shower conversions). “Reno stands for residential enhancement and neighborhood opportunity,” Truba said in her presentation.
Staff described the program as a fee waiver applied up front, not a reimbursement, and clarified it does not cover contractor labor, third-party review fees or state fees. Truba said waivers will be validated by standard code inspections and applicants must be current on property taxes and city utilities or be on a documented payment plan. Homeowners will need to be the applicant for single-family projects; multifamily or mixed-use project leads may also apply.
Truba said there are roughly 30 identified eligible activities and the pilot is designed to be administratively simple: the city’s permit system will prompt applicants about RENO and provide an on-line application. “If you’re meeting that threshold and that’s determined by staff, right up front, we’re waiving that barrier for you,” Truba said. The program is a pilot set to sunset in 2027; staff will benchmark participation and report back to the commission.
Commissioners asked how applications will be evaluated, whether bonds are affected, how the city will market the program and how ambiguous cases will be decided. Truba said the sustainability manager, Devin Dodge, will participate in internal reviews when eligibility is unclear; bonds typically remain in place because they are returned after project completion. Staff said they plan permit-system triggers, counter service, outreach to registered contractors and possible PR support to increase public awareness.
Next steps: Truba said the specifics and fee-schedule amendment will return to the commission at a later meeting (the presentation noted a potential Oct. 28 launch pending formal approval).
