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Pasco adopts interim commercial permit fee structure to comply with Florida’s HB 803
Summary
Responding to state changes in permit law, Pasco County modified building‑permit fee methodology from valuation‑based charges to per‑square‑foot and flat fees, added private‑provider adjustments and a $7,500 limited exemption process; staff will return with a full fee study in Q4.
The Pasco County Board on July 7 approved an interim change to the county's building‑permit fee structure to comply with Florida House Bill 803, which restricts valuation‑based permit charges for commercial projects.
JP Murphy, director of Building Construction Services, told the board that the department has not overhauled fees since 2008 and that HB 803 requires a move away from valuation‑based commercial fees. Staff presented a methodology using three years of commercial permit data to set per‑square‑foot rates that approximate prior revenue while lowering costs for common business‑alteration projects. For example, institutional occupancies are proposed at roughly $1.81 per square foot, while business/mercantile alterations would be charged about $0.65 per square foot to ease costs for small businesses.
The resolution also implements private‑provider fee adjustments (25% reductions per trade for private inspections), adds a modest administrative fee for small trade permits, and creates a $7,500 exemption pathway for certain non‑structural residential improvements. Murphy stressed the change is an interim "band‑aid" until a comprehensive fee study by a consultant (Stantec) is completed in Q4 and a more permanent, cost‑recovery schedule is proposed.
Commissioners asked about enforcement of driveway/right‑of‑way permits and pervious paver treatments; staff said enforcement and planning divisions would coordinate on right‑of‑way and impervious‑surface issues and that the fee change does not alter enforcement authority.
The board adopted the resolution 5‑0. Staff said the change aims to preserve predictable permitting revenue while complying with state law and to avoid sudden permit price shocks for small commercial alterations. A full fee study will return later this year for the board's consideration.
