Staff Report for 2-7-23 Fee Hearing

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determine the building permit fee. Example: Using the lCC Building Safety Journal Building Valuation Data ($166.08/square foot), the valuation for a 2,000-square foot residence would be $332,160 (2,000 x $148.33). The project valuation of $332,160 would be multiplied by the proposed multiplier of .0068, equaling a base building permit cost of $2,258.69. A five percent (5%) technology and equipment surcharge is placed upon the fee and a $150 issuance fee would be applied, for a total permit fee of $2,521.63. For comparison, the 2022 building permit fee for the same 2,000-square foot residence would be $2,445.04 (Current multiplier is .0074; current valuation data for a single-family residence is $148.33/square foot; and current issuance fee is $140.00). Fees for Building Fixture Permits Building permit fees for stand-alone building fixture permits are determined using the fee model for cost recovery of permit review and processing. This fee schedule applies when someone remodels, requests individual appliance replacement, or desires miscellaneous work requiring a permit and inspections not associated with new construction. Some construction activity permit fees can only be computed on an estimated, hourly basis for permit intake, plan review and inspections. Examples of this would be structural modifications to cell towers, fire damage repair and replacement, etc. For each permit type, staff has provided the current fee, the cost of service per the fee model, and a suggested fee for 2023 (Exhibit C). Fees for Planning Services Fees for Planning Services are also determined using the fee model for cost recovery of land use application review and processing. This fee schedule applies to such land use applications as plats, conditional use permits, shoreline reviews, State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) reviews, variances, etc. A new fee has been added for the Public Agency and Utility Exception that was adopted with the new Critical Areas Ordinance in 2021 but a fee had not yet been adopted. Additionally, Critical Areas Pre-Determination and Determination fees have been proposed for 2023. A pre-determination would be a service provided by the county to help landowners and applicants determine the extent that critical areas affect individual properties or apply to a proposed project. A determination would be similar but it would be received and reviewed at the same time as an underlying building permit or land use application. The pre-determination and determination fees would be implemented when the county fills the new Biologist position. For each application type, staff has provided the current fee, the cost of service per the fee model, and a suggested fee for 2023 (Exhibit D). Recommendation Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners approve the proposed CDS 2023 fee schedule as shown in the attached Exhibits A, B, C, and D. Attachments: Exhibit A: Building Permit Fee Multiplier Model Exhibit B: lCC Building Safety Journal Building Valuation Data Exhibit C: Proposed Fees for Building Fixtures Exhibit D: Proposed Fees for Planning Services