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Princess Anne staff proposes higher permit fees and escrow requirements to cover costs
Summary
Town staff proposed raising building and trade permit fees (e.g., residential application from $30 to 1% of estimated building value), increasing trade permit costs and creating upfront escrow deposits for larger projects; a commissioner moved to adopt a resolution to establish the fees, but no vote is recorded in the transcript excerpt.
Town staff presented a proposal to revise permit and subdivision fees during the Sept. 3 meeting, telling commissioners the changes are intended to cover administrative costs and reduce delayed billing.
The staff presentation recommended changing the flat $30 residential application fee to a fee equal to 1% of the estimated building cost, increasing electrical/plumbing/HVAC permit fees from $30 to $100 each, raising the signed permit application fee to $250 and proposing upfront escrow deposits for major subdivisions (for example, $1,000 upfront and $1,500 in escrow). The staff member said these changes align the town with neighboring municipalities and protect the town from unpaid administrative work.
A commissioner then stated a motion to pass a resolution (identified in the transcript as Resolution 2024-08) establishing the new fees; the excerpt does not record a roll-call vote or the final outcome.
Why it matters: The permit- and escrow-fee changes would shift more upfront cost responsibility to applicants and may affect the pace and affordability of small-build projects, while also providing the town funds to perform reviews and protect project continuity when applicants do not cover incurred costs.
What happened next: A motion to adopt the resolution was introduced, and commissioners requested additional follow-up and public outreach. The transcript excerpt does not record a final vote on the resolution.
