Item 8DAGENDA ITEM # 8D
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
STAFF REPORT
City of Atlantic Beach
Commission Meeting
AGENDA ITEM: Building Department Fee Proposal(s)
DATE: August 24, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: David E. Thompson`As~ tant City Manager
Michael Griffin, CBO, CFM, Building Official ~'~~
BACKGROUND:
As discussed during the budget workshops, the Building Department is currently operating at
a deficit, which is requiring the City to supplement the Department with general fund money.
Based on the current projections for this fiscal year, the deficit is anticipated to be
approximately $78,000.
The Building Department is an enterprise fund that should generate enough revenue to cover
its expenses. Ideally, the City should only supplement the Building Department with general
fund money for work that is not specifically related to building permitting. Currently, there
is a slight offset for administrative staff performing duties outside of the Building
Department.
There has been a significant decline in revenues from approximately $328,000 in 2007, to a
projected total of $214,000 in 2009. This is largely a factor of the decline in construction due
to the economy. During the same timeframe, expenses for running the Building Department
have declined from a high of approximately $315,000 in 2005 to a projected $293,000 in
2009.
Staff has reviewed the existing fees relative to processing and reviewing construction
projects, and a number of recommendations have emerged as a result. Additionally, Building
Department staff members have been assigned to perform duties outside of their department
to account for the general fund transfers into the Building Department account.
Proposed Fees for Building Department Services:
The building permit fees have not been changed since 2002. At that time, the minimum
permit issuance fee was raised to $35.00, along with the specific inspection fees such as fire,
electrical, plumbing, mechanical, and signs. The actual formula for determining building
permit fees, based on the cost of construction, has not changed since 1982.
The anticipated 2010 budget deficit has been the result of an increase in minor construction
projects such as renovations, re-roofing and similar work, and a decrease in new construction
as a result of a sluggish economy. It appears that more homeowners are renovating existing
homes instead of building new homes. These smaller projects have caused the number of
inspections to rise from previous years, but revenues have been reduced as a result of the
reduction in larger, more costly projects. The Building Department anticipates completing
nearly 3335 inspections this year, which is the highest number since 2004. However, the
AGENDA ITEM # 8D
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
revenues have declined.
In reaction to this rise in inspection activity and to eliminate the deficit, staff has
proposed changes and amendments to our current fee structure to cover the anticipated
administrative and inspection costs. The recommendations below are allowed by Florida
Statute 553.80, and they are similar to fees charged by other jurisdictions of similar size
within State of Florida.
1. Increase the minimum permit issuance fees from thirty-five dollars ($35) to fifty-five
dollars ($55). The minimum permit issuance fee is charged for each permit. This fee
amendment will allow the current schedule of fees, based on construction costs, to increase a
total of $20 regardless of the size of the project. Staff anticipates issuing 1790 permits next
year. This change will generate an estimated additional $35,000 in revenue.
2. Add a new fee for re-inspection of work that failed the previous inspection, from thirty-
five dollars ($35) to fifty-five dollars ($55) per re-inspection. Based upon the number of re-
inspections this would generate an additional estimated $3600 in revenue.
3. Add a new fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for a change of tenant inspection within an
existing business location. Currently the Building Department does this inspection at no
charge for a new tenant. The fee would cover costs for required application review (building
and zoning), property inspection (building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, accessibility
and parking). Our process also identifies changes of occupancy which may result in
additional building safety requirements such as fire exits, fire-walls, grease interceptors and
accessible parking. This fee would generate an estimated $7200 in revenue.
4. Add a permit renewal fee for expired permits. According to the Florida Building Code
Section 106, all permits that have not received an approved inspection for a period of six
months shall be considered abandoned and invalid, and renewal is required. The following
schedule is recommended and consistent with other Florida jurisdictions.
Completed Inspection
No inspection conducted
Slab inspection approved
Slab poured
All rough inspections approved
Insulation inspection approved
Final inspections pending
Amount of Renewal fee
100% of original fee
80%
50%
30%
10%
This amendment would generate an estimated $3,000 in additional revenue.
If an applicant abandons a project after the issuance of a permit, then the applicant may
request a refund. A fee of at least fifteen percent (15%) shall be retained by the City,
AGENDA ITEM # 8D
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
including the permit issuance fee, for administrative processing. Additionally, after a permit
has been issued, plan review fees will not be refunded. The residual inspection fees may be
refunded following a site inspection to assure that there are no violations of the Florida
Building Code.
5. Add a plan review re-submittal fee of fifty dollars ($50) for the second re-submittal,
seventy-five dollars ($75) for the third re-submittal and one hundred ($100) for the fourth re-
submittal. An estimate of the generated revenue is not known at this time.
Applicants submit plans for review before they begin construction on their projects. These
plans are reviewed by Building Department staff members, and then the plans are returned to
the applicants as "approved" or "not approved." If the plans are drawn by a competent
architect, engineer, or builder, they rarely need more than two (2) reviews. However, when
plans are repeatedly submitted, not approved, and resubmitted, then there should be fees for
the multiple reviews. Staff recommends an escalating scale to encourage applicants to utilize
competent professional services to avoid repeated plan reviews.
Reassignment of Building Department Personnel
The Building Inspector has been assigned to perform Code Enforcement duties for eight (8)
hours per week. This is considered to be a temporary adjustment until the workload and
revenues in the Building Department increase significantly. This assignment increases the
code enforcement attention in strategic targeted areas, while it maintains invaluable staffing
necessary for Building Inspections.
BUDGET:
The Building Department fees should result in an increase in revenues of approximately
$46,000, which will significantly reduce the amount needed to eliminate the deficit projected
in 2009-10.
RECOMMENDATIONS: To review, provide guidance, and adopt the recommendations
above into ordinances.
ATTACHMENTS: List of other Florida cities and their building permit fees.
REVIEWED BY CITY MANAGER:
GENDA ITEM NUMBER:
AGENDA ITEM # 8D
SEPTEMBER 14, 2009
Comparisons of Building Permit Fees with Similar Sized Florida Cities
2009
City of Atlantic Beach permit fee for $100,000 building= $690 with amended fee = $710
Minimum base permit fee $35 Proposed base fee $55
Broward County permit fee for $100,000 building = $1,832
Minimum base permit fee $56
City of Delray Beach permit fee for $100,000 building= $2,030
Minimum base permit fee $50
City of Mt. Dora permit fee for $100,000 dwelling = $1,012.50
Minimum base permit fee $75
City of Fernandina Beach permit fee for $100,000 building = $1,099.50
Minimum base permit fee $25
Indian River Shores permit fee for $100,000 building= $912.30
Minimum base permit fee $60
City of Jacksonville Beach permit fee for $100,000 building = $ 690
Minimum base permit fee $20 Note: fees not raised since february 1997
City of Miramar permit fee for $100,000 building= $2,100
Minimum base permit fee $75
City of Neptune Beach permit fee for $100,000 building= $ 765
Minimum base permit fee $25 Note: fees not raised since 2003
City of Palm Beach Gardens permit fee for $100,000 building = $1,210
Minimum base permit fee $50
City of St. Pete Beach permit fee for $100,000 building= $1,432
Minimum base permit fee $50