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Sunbury proposes zoning fee schedule to charge permit fees and fund permit specialist
Summary
Planning staff told the finance committee that nearly 1,100 permits were issued between Jan 2023 and Jun 2025, about 60% without fees; the city proposed a flat fee schedule (fences, decks, garages), moving fees into the zoning code, and using revenue to hire a permit specialist, with a crosswalk to county inspection fees to be prepared.
Sunbury planning staff presented a proposed zoning fee schedule on July 15 that would add or standardize fees for commonly issued permits and move the fee text from the building‑code section into the zoning ordinance so the city can manage fees with a standalone schedule and amend them by resolution.
Shantria, the planning intern who led the presentation, told the finance committee that from January 2023 through June 2025 Sunbury issued nearly 1,100 permits and that almost 60% of those permits "did not have any fees associated with them." She said that reviewing neighboring municipalities and last summer's research by a former intern produced an estimated missed revenue range of $45,000 to $150,000 depending on the fee structure selected.
The proposal has four connected elements: (1) evaluate existing fees vs. city costs, (2) create a comprehensive flat‑fee structure for common zoning permits (examples cited: fences, decks, accessory garages), (3) relocate zoning fee language into the zoning code (chapter 13 would be cleared of zoning fees), and (4) establish a clearer process for future fee amendments so changes can be made by resolution rather than by ordinance.
Shantria said staff loaded the proposed fees and categories into OpenGov, the city's online permitting portal, and that going live would be a single‑button action after council approval. She said additional revenue from fees is intended to pay for a permit specialist tasked with managing permit intake and permitting backlog.
Committee members pressed staff for a clear side‑by‑side comparison showing current city fees, proposed charges and the county's typical inspection fees so staff and residents could see the total out‑of‑pocket cost for common projects. Alex, a staff member who joined that exchange, explained the bifurcated process for some permits: the city issues a zoning certificate verifying setbacks and zoning compliance, while the county performs building inspections and enforces construction standards; residents in many cases pay both agencies at different steps.
Staff said the plan will return to the Planning & Zoning Commission for a recommendation; if recommended, the fee schedule would then be introduced to council (staff suggested September for council introduction with three readings). The committee directed staff to provide the requested crosswalk and a readable redline/comparison between current and proposed fees before the council introduction.
No formal fee changes were adopted at the July 15 finance committee meeting.
