Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Permitting Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Medina committee backs contractor registration and permit fee changes to support electronic permitting
Summary
Council staff and building department leaders explained a package of code amendments to contractor registration and building/permitting fees tied to new permitting software; changes are expected to raise about $68,000 annually and include a plans-exam fee increase from $90 to $140 per hour.
The Medina finance committee approved code changes to contractor registration, building permit and planning fees as part of an effort to modernize permitting and cover costs of a new electronic permitting system.
Andrew and Dan outlined the package, which includes removing an early-registration rebate, extending contractor registration validity to 365 days, adding a state-required 1% residential fee, increasing residential base fees from $35 to $50 and increasing commercial base fees from $50 to $70 along with a modest per-square-foot increase. They said the city expects roughly $68,000 in additional annual revenue for building and planning departments and emphasized that fees remain competitive with surrounding cities.
Dan detailed other changes, including increasing plans-exam fees from $90 to $140 per hour to reflect current costs when the city outsources examinations. He said electronic submissions will reduce printing costs for business owners and typically speed permit processing.
Committee members asked about the impact on homeowners and contractors; staff said most homeowners will see minimal change and that the electronic permitting will reduce costs for larger commercial projects by eliminating multiple printed plan sets. The committee moved and seconded the fee amendments and approved them.
Why it matters: fee adjustments fund permitting operations and a transition to electronic systems while balancing business competitiveness with cost recovery.
Next steps: staff will implement the revised fee schedule alongside the new permitting software and update record-retention policies.
(Transcript excerpts: Andrew and Dan explained fee changes and expected revenue impacts.)
