Building inspector proposes higher permit, ABC and wireless fees to boost compliance

Keith Cog, the county’s chief building codes inspector, presented a proposed fee-schedule revision at the March 31 budget work session aimed at strengthening enforcement and aligning Surry County with neighboring counties.

Cog said the county’s present $100 fine for building without a permit is too low to deter repeat noncompliance and proposed doubling that penalty. "I'd like to raise that up to double the permit fee," he said, adding that neighboring counties typically charge two to three times the current amount.

He also proposed increasing ABC permit fees from $50 to $100 for commercial establishments, starting a modest $50 charge for commercial site-consultation visits when no permit is already in place, and creating a simplified wireless communications review fee: $200 for repairs or panel changes, and $500 for new towers. Cog said the consultation fee and wireless fees would apply to commercial projects and would not target routine residential work.

Cog provided comparative context, citing higher fees in Wilkes, Yadkin and Stokes counties, and said the changes are intended to recover the cost of inspections and enforcement without unduly burdening small businesses. Commissioners asked questions about comparative turnaround times and whether tariffs or supply-chain delays affect quoted equipment costs; Cog said vendor quote periods have shortened and some vendors are passing price changes onto purchasers before orders are filled.

Next steps: The proposed fee schedule will be reviewed by finance staff and commissioners; any change would require formal adoption as part of the county’s fees and charges process.