Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fees And Permits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council begins overhaul of permit and fee schedule, seeks work session
Summary
Council reviewed a draft fee schedule comparing Swisher's fees to neighboring cities and proposed changes including raising new-construction building-permit fees from $25 to $100 (some members suggested $200), a $1,100 floodplain permit for certain building types, higher variance fees, and clarified demolition-permit triggers; council directed staff to schedule a work session to finalize fees.
Staff presented a spreadsheet of current permit and fee proposals and compared local rates to neighboring municipalities. Councilors focused on building-permit fees (currently $25 for many items) and proposed increasing the fee for new construction and additions to at least $100 to better reflect inspection and administrative costs; some members argued for higher fees for larger projects or additional graduated fees. "Right now we talk we get $25 on any type of building permit," the Mayor said; several council members recommended raising the fee to $100 for new construction and considering higher tiers for large projects.
Members also discussed specific permit types: demolition permits when utilities require disconnection (and whether to charge only when utilities are impacted), floodplain building permits (staff cited an example figure of $1,100 to cover additional reviews), variance fees and whether fees should be refundable if an application is denied, peddler permits and ATV registration constraints, and sale-of-alley or property conveyance charges. Council asked staff to schedule a focused work session before the budget cycle to resolve fee levels, post public notice where required, and return with recommended ordinance language.
