Council approves updating building permits, applications and review fees

The Port Orchard City Council voted 5-1 to update fees and free policies for the Developments of Community Development (DCD) and Public Works during the Feb. 24 meeting.

Councilman Jerry Childs was the lone opposing vote. Jeff Cartwright was absent from the meeting.

During a public hearing, no one spoke on the issue.

Development Director Nick Bond said the resolution moved the city to the most recent August 2014 Building Valuation Table by the International Code Council (ICC).

In April, the council approved a resolution that updated the DCD and Public Works permit, application and review fees for the first time since 2006.

During the past year, city staff has identified the need for some clarification regarding certain fees, according to Bond.

Bond noted that the ICC updates building valuation tables twice annually to provide accurate estimates of construction values for building permit fees and plan review calculations.

Some changes include a $100 installation fee for prefabricated carports, a $135 free for solar panel installations, residing permits that are based on bid price, calculation of fees for door and window replacements based on bid price, reduce the SEPA appeal and other appeal fees from $500 to $450, add exemption ($100) and variance ($1,275 plus hearing examiner fee) fee for View Protection Overlay District regulations, and set fees for development agreements at the citys actual cost with a $1,000 deposit required to start the process.

The adjustments will keep our estimates consistent with current building evaluation data, Bond said. We are using 2010 data and prices for things have changed since 2010. This will help us keep up with changing costs.

Councilman Rob Putaansuu asked Bond why there is a fee for replacing a door or window.

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Council approves updating building permits, applications and review fees