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Larkspur council adopts annual fee schedule; most fees rise with CPI, effective July 1
Summary
City consultant and staff presented the annual user-fee update tied to regional CPI; the council adopted the resolution to update fees effective July 1, 2026, with staff estimating about $40,000 of additional cost recovery.
At the April 15 meeting the Larkspur City Council held a public hearing and adopted an updated schedule of user and regulatory fees effective July 1, 2026.
Administrative Services Director Amelia Gabrielle introduced consultant David Schroeder of Clear Source Financial Consulting, who said staff performs a fee study every three to five years and adjusts fees annually for regional cost inflation. Schroeder told the council the current update applies roughly a 2% CPI adjustment to most fees and is intended to align charges with the reasonable cost of providing services; he estimated the adjustments would increase fee recovery by about $40,000 citywide.
Council members asked technical questions about specific items in the planning fee schedule. Mr. Morganson explained that the "accessibility hardship review" relates to reasonable‑accommodation requests (ADA modifications) and that fees depend on the level of review; he said reasonable accommodations are often not charged if staff review is minimal. On archaeological investigation, Morganson said CEQA often requires a phase‑one cultural resources report when grading or construction encounters potential resources, and that the city charges deposits for consultant work and bills only actual staff/consultant time.
After hearing no public comments on the fee item, the council moved, seconded and adopted the resolution. The updated fees will take effect July 1, 2026.
What happens next: staff will publish the updated fee schedule with the adopted resolution and apply the revised fees in the FY2026–27 budget cycle.
