BCA 3-29-06 Letter on Fees
~P/(II\("-.
'-./Vi erldla-n
M,wm(
[,1 III III V de Weerd
CITY C()L'.'-:UI ML~lBERS
Willi,11l1 L M. Nary
Keith Bird
Charles M. !';:Ollntree
ShrlUll Wclrd Ie
ClI Y DU''\!-(T\! II\.; IS
Fire
54U E. Frallklm [';:o,ld
888-1234/ f,lX 89')-U3YO
Parks & [';:cerca tion
1] E. Bower Strcd
888-3579/ fax 8Y8-')50]
Plallning & Zoning
660 E. Watertowcr Lalle
Suitt' 202
884-5533/ fax SH8-6854
Police
140l E. Watertower Lane
SHf)-6678 / fax S46-7366
Public Works
660 E. \N,ltertower Lane
Suite 200
S98-5500 1 f,l x S98-Y551
- BuiJdin<'
\'7
660 E. W,ltertower Lane
Suite 150
887-22111 fax 887- ] 2Y7
Sevver (WWTI))
34111 N. Tell Mile ]';:o,ld
8S8-219] / bx HS4-0744
W,ltcr
2235 N. W. Sth Street
888-5242 / [,1 X S84-] 15Y
March 29, 2006
Jayson Ronk
Building Contractors Association
6206 N. Discovery Way, Suite A
Boise, Idaho 83713
RE:
City of Meridian Building Department Fee Update Proposals
Dear Jayson:
We recently completed our proposals for updating a couple of the permit fees that
we currently issue through the Building Department. The first is a modification to
the methodology for calculating electrical permit fees, and the second is an
increase in the re-inspection fees for the Structural, Electrical, Plumbing, and
Mechanical disciplines. I am forwarding our proposed fee updates to you for your
review and comment. With Mayor De Weerd's permission, I hope to have City
Council hold a public hearing on these fees April 18, 2006 at their regularly
scheduled meeting.
All other permit fees associated with building permits are not a subject of this
letter. We are currently evaluating those fees and will notify you as soon as that
analysis is complete and a proposal formulated.
Residential Electrical Permit Fee Structure Chanae Proposal:
This proposal effectively eliminates room counts in the electrical discipline of the
building department. Currently the counting of each individual room is required to
establish correct permit fees. The goal is to have a base fee that is consistent
with the State of Idaho and other local jurisdictions.
The "room count method" requires our customers submitting for permit to count
every room on the building plans and then for inspectors to re-count every room in
the field to verify accuracy, and often charging additional fees for rooms that were
not counted and not paid. This always creates additional work for inspectors and
building department staff. Many electrical sub contractors have asked if we could
go to the State fee schedule.
The flat fee would greatly improve customer service, reduce many discrepancies
and improve overall staff time.
Proposed Fees - the following three categories show the new proposed flat fees
consistent with the State electrical and other local jurisdictions. In some cases
new permit fee calculations may reflect a slight increase or decrease. The goal is
a restructuring of fees - not raising fees. It should immediately prove to be a
welcome change by all involved in the process.
Residential Electrical Permits:
1. Service equipment up to and including 200 amps = $120.00
Over 200 amps and up to and including 400 amps = $210.00
401 amps and up see wiring costs based on value of project (current fee
schedule in use)
CITY II.\LL :n E,\ST IIL\1l0 ,\\'L:\lE \/!:I{lIll.\:\. 11),\110 R3()42 (20Ri RRR-4433
II I \ 11110,-11\ NNN.4J IN III 111\ IOSIIII((IS-II\ NK4-N7JJ IIX IX' I ., I I1II1 \ 1\1111\(,-11\ NN7-4KU 111\111{\ (111111.-11\ KK4-N] ID
Example Under Current Fee Structure: 20 room dwelling (Room = any space that has electrical. Example:
Closets, attics, pantry, etc.):
First room at $5.00
19 rooms at $3.50 ea = $66.50
1 A/C unit = $15.00
1 - 200 amp service = $25.00
$111.50
2. Multi-Family Dwellings, duplexes, triplexes, & apartments = $120 per building plus $60 per unit
3. Residential Remodels = Base fee of $40 plus $10 for each additional circuit
Re-Inspection Fees Proposal:
This proposal effectively raises the Building Department re-inspection fees. The total average re-inspection
fee in all inspection categories (structural, plumbing, electrical, mechanical) in six municipalities is an
average of $43.25. The City of Meridian total average is $34.31. (See Attached Exhibit A)
Our inspectors are spending unnecessary time and fuel with wasted trips. Many contractors are calling in
for re-inspection and when the inspectors arrive they find that the corrections have not been performed.
The Building Department staff then is tasked with the additional phone calls for the respective inspections,
duplicate processing and inspector dispatch.
This proposal essentially will position the City of Meridian Building Department consistent with the other
municipalities. It does not raise building permit fees. The intent is to reduce the number of wasted trips
and staff time while promoting accountability and efficiency throughout.
I hope to have City Council hold a public hearing on these fees April 18, 2006. Please contact me if you
would like to discuss this proposal further or need additional information.
c ton
nt Services Manager
cc: Mayor De Weerd
Enclosures
~ ~ >-d l?1 r.fJ
"".-0 % ~
.-0 lZl ~ ~ "" 0
~ % ...0 ~ ~. g. ~ ~
~, 0- :g a- ~ ~
Go ~ ~~ .... ('>
a- ~ ~ ~ , ~
~, S' ('> ~.~ ~ ('> i~
~ ~ ~
('> (JQ e.>or1 ~ ~
~ ;t:l ~ ;
s.~ n ""
e.~ ~
n 0- ~a
"" "" "" "" o "" >or1
J;;o J;;o J;;o ~;t:l "J1'
J;;o V> g
V> V> V> ~
0 0 0 '0 ~ "" '"
0 0 0 0 "" ~
~. S.
e.",
"" ~
Q.~. ~
~~ ~ "" "" ~ ~ ~
'1:'" J;;o v) ...
0 .....
~ ~ ~ r$I V> t:..
tJ '0 '0 '0 .....
~ ~
.... V> 0 0 0 ~
)'
"" ~ "" "" ~
~ ~ ~ ~ Q
r:.P 0 V'
~ V> '0 C:
g '0 'g '0
0 0 ~
0 -
.';,
~ "" ~ ~ "" ~ "" "" ~
\0 0 V> ~ V> ::;
0 0 - r:.P 0 0 ,..;
"0 '0 '0 ~ '0 0 '0 '0 7:
0 0 0 .-J 0 0 0 0
tJl
~ "" ~ "" "" ~
~ ~ J;;o ;~
~ ~ J;;o 0' f" 'J:
.~ '0 V-> - I':
- 0
0 0 -
~
g
~~
V> V>
'0 '0
o 0
""
J;;o
V>
'0
o
""
~
V>
"0
o
"2
u
~
-:::
~
e
~
~~
_ r:.P
'0 '0
o 0
""
J;;o
o
'0
o
""
J;;o
V>
'g
~
-
;.:.
...
"2
"" "" "" -:::
~ "" ::;.
J;;o v) J;;o J;;o ::;.
.... -J r$I 0 0 7:
~ '0 '0 '0 '0 ~
tJl 0 0 0 0