Union County witness says proposed $0.50-per-square-foot building permit fee would replace 1970s schedule

A Union County commissioner testified before the committee that the county proposes a building permit fee of $0.50 per heated square foot for new construction, excluding sheds and barns, to replace a decades-old fee schedule.

"What we are asking for in Union County is that the fee for building permit shall be the sum of 50¢ per square foot for all buildings constructed, erected or reconstructed," said Angela Connor Murphy, introduced to the panel as a Union County commissioner and the day's witness. Murphy said the county matched Plainview's existing fee and that Plainview residents had supported that level.

Committee members sought clarification on whether the charge is an impact fee or a permit fee and how the county administers it. Murphy said the fee is a building permit fee, not an impact fee, and that the county's existing schedule dates to the early 1970s. She told the committee the county currently brings in roughly $30,000 to $35,000 annually under the old schedule.

Representative Stevens and others pressed whether the county had a planning and codes department or whether fees would continue to be processed through the assessor's office; Murphy said the county has a planning board and that collections would go into the county general fund. Representative Cheryl noted the effect on small-home builders, calculating that a 1,500-square-foot home at $0.50 per square foot would produce about $750 in permit fees.

After questions and a short discussion, Chair (speaker 1) moved to roll House Bill 14-65 for one week so staff could provide additional information; the committee approved the roll. The bill will return with requested cost breakdowns and more detail about current receipts and how funds would be allocated.