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Committee backs waiving permit fees to encourage sprinkler retrofits in older apartments

Zoning and Neighborhood Development Committee · February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

The committee recommended an ordinance that would waive city plan-review and permit fees for landlords who voluntarily retrofit sprinkler systems into existing multifamily buildings, aiming to encourage life-safety upgrades while acknowledging an uncertain fiscal impact estimated at about $35,000 annually.

Alderman Bergellis introduced a measure to waive city permit and plan-review fees for landlords who voluntarily retrofit sprinkler systems into multifamily buildings that are currently exempt from that requirement, calling it a practical step to “help protect the life and safety of residents in our community.”

Deputy Commissioner Mike Basmian of Neighborhood Services told the committee the permit and plan-review charge for a recent retrofit was roughly $2,200 and that the…

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