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Council adopts revised building fee schedule, adjusts residential variance fee
Summary
Council adopted revisions to the city building‑permit fee schedule, moving to a per‑square‑foot approach for residential permits and phasing to fixed reinspection fees; the council also increased the residential variance submittal fee after discussion.
The City Council adopted an amended building permit fee schedule that changes how residential and other permits will be assessed and updates inspection and variance fees.
Building official Shane Peavy summarized the recommended changes: a $1.00 per conditioned‑space square foot assessment for new residential permits (and $0.50 per sq ft for additions/alterations) to create a more consistent and repeatable fee base, rather than relying on applicant‑reported living space plus covered porches and garages, which staff said produced inconsistent reporting. Peavy said fee changes still would not cover the entire operating deficit but would reduce it compared with earlier drafts.
Staff presented examples showing the effect of the change on typical permits and explained that for some sign types and accessory structures the per‑square‑foot approach may increase fees, while for others (when conditioned space is smaller than reported total area) fees could fall. Staff also recommended replacing a doubling reinspection fee with a fixed reinspection fee to provide predictable charges.
Council debated raising the residential variance application fee from $150 to a higher amount; one council member argued $500 would be excessive for an individual homeowner pursuing a simple variance and could deter public petitions, while staff said a higher fee better covers staff time for complex variance research. Council reached a compromise and moved approval with an adjustment to the residential variance fee as amended. The motion carried on a voice vote.
