Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Building Fees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tequesta council adopts new building‑permit fee schedule to comply with state law
Summary
The Village of Tequesta approved a revised Building Department fee schedule on June 29 to comply with new state rules that bar fees based on project cost; staff said the new formula uses ICC valuation, gross square footage and a village cost multiplier and will be monitored and revisited in six months.
The Village of Tequesta council on June 29 approved a resolution adopting a revised Building Department fee schedule designed to comply with state legislation that takes effect July 1.
The change replaces permit fees tied to contract valuation with a fee calculated from industry standard valuation tables, the project’s gross square footage and a village cost multiplier, village staff said. Wayne, the building‑department presenter, described the formula and said the cost multiplier being used is 0.0217, a figure derived from last year’s department operating cost of about $1,100,000 and the village’s measured square footage of construction.
Council members asked whether the new approach would reduce revenue. Wayne said the example used in the presentation — a 4,500‑square‑foot single‑family home using the ICC valuation — produces a permit fee about 25% lower than the valuation‑based fee previously charged in some cases. “This will be a little bit less than almost 25% less than what we're currently using right now,” he said, adding that the change is intended to reflect the village’s actual cost to deliver building services.
The schedule also implements an exemption category for certain nonstructural projects under $7,500, such as some driveways or fences, but Wayne emphasized that plumbing, electrical, mechanical work and any projects in a flood zone will still require permits and, where applicable, separate zoning reviews.
Council asked staff to monitor revenues and return with an update; the Chair suggested a six‑month review to confirm whether the multiplier and rates are recouping expected costs. Following discussion, a council member moved to adopt the resolution and the council approved the measure by voice vote.
The resolution will take effect under the timetable described by staff; council directed staff to report back with revenue outcomes and outreach materials to help residents and contractors understand the new permit rules.
