Plan commission approves forwarding building-permit fee changes to commissioners

The Scott County Area Plan Commission voted June 10 to forward a revision to the county building-permit fee schedule to the county commissioners. The revision raises square-footage tiers (adding an up-to-6,000 sq. ft. tier), adds a $50 charge for failed inspections and a double permit fee for work started without permits, and proposes language granting the building inspector discretion to require additional inspections for complex or specialty structures.

Stacy Turner, the area plan director, told the board the packet reflected two additions: “At the bottom on the right hand side, a failed inspection, there was a charge of $50. And then if a project got started without permits, a double permit fee would be issued.” Members discussed whether the building commissioner should have specific language reserving the right to increase inspections for homes over 6,000 square feet or other complex projects; one member proposed wording that “building inspector reserves the right to increase number of inspections based upon the complexity of the structure.”

Board members also debated modest inspection-fee levels for travel and time; one member argued a $50 failed-inspection fee was reasonable to cover time and fuel. After members agreed to add the inspector-reserve language, a motion was made to forward the fee schedule to the county commissioners as written and contingent on adding the agreed language. The commission approved the motion by voice vote.

What happens next: Staff will add the agreed inspector-reserve wording and transmit the revised fee schedule to the county commissioners, who have the authority to set the final fees.