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CODE ADMINISTRATION FEES <br /> Most commonly known as a"building permit fee,"there are many different fees that are often <br /> collected at the time of building permit issuance. These may include the building permit fee,plan <br /> review fee, and a state surcharge fee. In addition, other work may also require separate permits and <br /> fees. These may include electrical,plumbing, heating/mechanical, septic, and sewer and water fees. <br /> Minnesota Rule requires building permit fees to be established at a rate that is commensurate with the <br /> services being provided by the local building department. The rule also states that the fees are to be <br /> reasonable, fair, and proportionate to the actual costs of the services being provided. It is for this <br /> reason that the building code does not specifically identify or provide for a fee schedule to be used by a <br /> jurisdiction. Each municipality is to evaluate local costs associated with the enforcement of the code. <br /> From this local evaluation, a fee structure can be established to cover associated and related code <br /> enforcement responsibilities. Again, by Minnesota Rule,the fees are to be commensurate with the <br /> services required/provided; building permit fees may not be used as a tool to raise additional monies <br /> for the municipalities' general fund. <br /> Generally,building permit fees are required to be based on construction valuation and/or a fee for <br /> service. The code requires that an applicant provide an estimated construction valuation(to be verified <br /> by the building official) at the time of permit application. This valuation is then applied to a fee <br /> schedule that gets proportionately higher with higher construction values. It is usually justified in this <br /> manner due to the complexities involved with providing building department services. An example of <br /> this would be in comparing the amount of service required and provided for construction of a single <br /> family dwelling to the amount of service required and provided to a new hospital or school building. <br /> Without question,there is more code administration,plan review and inspection time dedicated to the <br /> construction of a hospital or school than there would be for a single family dwelling. Therefore,the <br /> intent of the fee schedule is to cover all related costs to the municipality for providing building code <br /> administration. <br /> There are also many types of permit fees that are <br /> set as a fixed fee. Permits of this type usually Where thrift is in its place, and prudence is <br /> include plumbing permits, mechanical permits, in its place, ...... there the great city stands. <br /> electrical permits, septic permits, sewer and water <br /> installation permits, moving permits, re-roofing Walt Whitman <br /> and residing permits, etc. <br /> Plan review fees also need to be included and addressed in a municipal fee schedule. The building <br /> code has some specific criteria for establishing plan review fees, but it generally allows the <br /> municipality the flexibility to take local conditions into consideration. Other operational fees must be <br /> included in the building department fee schedule as well. They include fees for services like special <br /> investigation fees,penalty fees for starting work without a permit, re-inspection fees,plan-review fees <br /> for similar plans, fixed fees and associated permit refund policies. <br /> 13 <br />