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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 870-26 Building Fee Schedule AmendmentINSTR# 2026137484 OR BK 11462 PG 2796 Page 1 of 6 07/22/2026 01:49 PM Rcpt: 2983901 Rec: 52.50 DS: 0.00 IT: 0.00 Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq., Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller RESOLUTION NO: 870-26 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA, ADOPTING A COST -BASED BUILDING PERMIT FEE METHODOLOGY AND FEE SCHEDULE FRAMEWORK; PROVIDING FOR A COST -BASED FEE STRUCTURE; PROVIDING FOR PRIVATE -PROVIDER FEE REDUCTIONS; REPEALING CONFLICTING RESOLUTIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Zephyrhills (the "City") is a municipal corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Florida; and WHEREAS, the City operates a Building Department responsible for the enforcement of the Florida Building Code, including building permit issuance, plan review, inspections, and related services; and WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature enacted House Bill 803 (2026), codified in relevant part at Section 553.80, Florida Statutes, which provides that inspection fees charged by local governments shall not be based on the cost of the project but shall be calculated to cover the cost of providing the inspection services, and which establishes a $7,500 exemption for residential maintenance, repair, or improvement projects not requiring plan review or more than one inspection; and WHEREAS, the Florida Legislature enacted Senate Bill 1614 (2026), which requires that total fees, fines, and charges levied by a local government for enforcement of the Florida Building Code shall not generate revenue in excess of the total estimated annual costs of the allowable activities funded by such fees, and which imposes limitations on use of fee revenues, fund balance carryforward, and requires annual compliance review; and WHEREAS, SB 1614 further requires that any local government that levies fees for enforcement of the Florida Building Code must demonstrate that such fees are based on the actual costs of providing the services for which the fees are charged, including direct costs and reasonable indirect costs; and WHEREAS, the City has completed a comprehensive cost -based fee study analyzing the direct and indirect costs of building code enforcement services, including salaries and benefits of enforcement staff, vehicle and equipment costs, software systems, training, professional plan review contracts, supplies, and reasonable indirect allocations; and WHEREAS, the fee study determined that the City's total allowable annual costs for building code enforcement activities are One Million Two Hundred Twenty -Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,222,800.00); and WHEREAS, the fee study determined that the total projected annual revenue under the proposed fee schedule is Nine Hundred Seventy -Four Thousand Thirty -Eight Dollars and Thirty Cents ($974,038.30), which does not exceed the total allowable annual costs, thereby satisfying the revenue test required by SB 1614; and WHEREAS, the proposed fees are calculated based on the cost of providing services and are not based on the cost or value of the construction project, consistent with HB 803; and WHEREAS, HB 803 requires that fees for inspections performed by private providers shall be reduced by 25% for commercial projects utilizing a duly qualified private provider for inspections, and by 50% for commercial projects utilizing a duly qualified private provider for both plan review and inspections; and WHEREAS, the City has completed a cost -based fee study analyzing the direct and indirect costs of building code enforcement services, including salaries and benefits of enforcement staff, vehicle and equipment costs, software systems, training, professional plan review contracts, supplies, and reasonable indirect allocations; and WHEREAS, the fee study determined that the City's total allowable annual costs for building code enforcement activities are One Million Two Hundred Twenty -Two Thousand Eight Hundred Dollars ($1,222,800.00); and Page 1 OR BK 11462 PG 2797 Page 2 of 6 WHEREAS, the fee study determined that the total projected annual revenue under the proposed fee schedule is Nine Hundred Seventy -Four Thousand Thirty -Eight Dollars and Thirty Cents ($974,038.30), which does not exceed the total allowable annual costs, thereby satisfying the revenue test required by SB 1614; and WHEREAS, SB 1614 requires that the City accept electronic submissions for building permits, plans, and related documents, and the City has implemented or is implementing electronic submission systems in compliance therewith; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds it necessary and in the public interest to adopt a cost - based building permit fee schedule that complies with HB 803 and SB 1614, ensures that fee revenue does not exceed allowable costs, and that fees are supported by documented cost methodology; and WHEREAS, the fee schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A has been prepared based upon and is supported by the City's fee study and cost analysis, and sets forth the specific fees to be charged for building permit processing, plan review, inspections, and related services. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Zephyrhills, Florida, as follows: Section 1. Recitals Adopted. The above recitals are true and correct and are hereby incorporated herein by reference as findings of the City Council. Section 2. Cost -Based Fee Schedule Adopted. The City Council hereby adopts the Cost -Based Building Permit Fee Schedule attached hereto as Exhibit A and incorporated herein by reference. The fees set forth in Exhibit A shall be the fees charged by the City for building permit processing, plan review, inspections, and related services for enforcement of the Florida Building Code, effective as set forth in Section 11 of this Resolution. Section 3. Inspection Fees Not Based on Project Cost. Consistent with Section 553.80, Florida Statutes, as amended by HB 803, the inspection fees set forth in Exhibit A are calculated based on the actual cost of providing inspection services and are not based on the cost or value of the construction project. The cost per inspection is $142.78, which reflects the fully -loaded cost of inspector time, travel, equipment, and related overhead for each inspection event. Section 4. Residential Maintenance Exemption. Pursuant to HB 803, no permit fee shall be charged for a residential maintenance, repair, or improvement project where the project cost does not exceed $7,500.00 and the project does not require plan review or more than one inspection. This exemption shall not apply to projects requiring structural modifications, projects in flood zones requiring elevation certificates, or any work requiring multiple inspections. Section 5. Private Provider Fee Reductions. In accordance with HB 803 and Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, the following reductions shall apply to commercial building permits when a duly qualified private provider is utilized: (a) Twenty-five percent (25%) reduction in inspection fees for commercial projects utilizing a private provider for inspections only. (b) Fifty percent (50%) reduction in inspection fees for commercial projects utilizing a private provider for both plan review and inspections. The private provider reduction shall be applied to the inspection fee component only and shall not reduce the non -reducible processing fee. The Building Official may require documentation of private provider qualifications and licensure prior to granting the reduction. Section 6. Revenue Limitation and Use of Funds. Page 2 OR BK 11462 PG 2798 Page 3 of 6 In compliance with SB 1614, total fees, fines, and charges collected by the City for enforcement of the Florida Building Code shall not generate revenue in excess of the total estimated annual costs of the allowable activities funded by such fees. Revenue collected under this fee schedule shall be used exclusively for building code enforcement activities as defined and limited by SB 1614, including but not limited to salaries of code enforcement personnel, inspections, plan review, software, training, vehicles, and reasonable indirect costs. Section 7. Fund Balance and Carryforward. Any surplus fee revenue remaining at the end of a fiscal year shall be maintained in a designated building code enforcement fund and shall be subject to the carryforward limitations established by SB 1614. Fund balances shall be reviewed annually and fee adjustments shall be made as necessary to ensure compliance. Section 8. Electronic Submissions. The City shall accept electronic submissions for building permit applications, construction plans, inspection requests, and related documents, in compliance with SB 1614. The Building Official is authorized to establish procedures and technical specifications for electronic submissions. Section 9. Annual Review. The Building Official shall conduct an annual review of the fee schedule and cost analysis on or before October 1 of each fiscal year to ensure continued compliance with HB 803 and SB 1614. The annual review shall assess whether fee revenue exceeds allowable costs, whether the cost basis for individual fees remains valid, and whether adjustments are necessary. The Building Official shall present findings and any recommended adjustments to the City Council. Section 10. Supersession of Prior Fees. Upon the effective date of this Resolution, the fee schedule adopted herein shall supersede and replace all prior building permit fee schedules, rate tables, and fee provisions previously adopted by the City for building code enforcement services, to the extent inconsistent herewith. Any building permit application submitted prior to the effective date shall be subject to the fees in effect at the time of application. Section 11. Effective Date. This Resolution upon adoption by the City Council and being signed by the Mayor. Th.o'` :fl'''ltion No. 870-26 was read and passed in an open and regular meeting of the Cncil o 'fhat3 of Zephyrhills, Florida, on this 13th day of July, 2026. ' Ricardo on s City Clerk Steven F. Spina, Ph.D.. Council President Tllgij�e`g�. g0'es�lutia No. 870-26 was approved by me this 13th day of July, 2026. Aeltie Bahr Monson, Mayor Approved as to legal form and legal content for the sole reliance of the City of Zephyrhills Matthew E. Maggard, City Attorney Page 3 OR BK 11462 PG 2799 Page 4 of 6 Page 4 OR BK 11462 PG 2800 Page 5 of 6 EXHIBIT A COST -BASED BUILDING PERMIT FEE SCHEDULE City of Zephyrhills, Florida Effective July 1, 2026 (or date of adoption, whichever is later) The following fees are adopted pursuant to Resolution No. 870-26 and are calculated based on the actual cost of providing building code enforcement services, in compliance with HB 803 and SB 1614 (2026). Fees are not based on the cost or value of the construction project. PART I: UNIT COST FEES Fee Category Fee Amount Basis Permit Processing -- Residential $105.41 Per application Permit Processing - ( omnactci lflnclu,trial $128.12 Per application --- ---- Plan Review-- Residential (SF/Duplex) $142.78 Per submittal — Plan Review-- Residential (Townhouse) ---- $142.8 Per submittal Plan Review-- Residential (Multifamily) $225.56 Per submittal Plan Review-- Commercial (General) $142.78 Per submittal - Plan Review -- Commercial (Complex) ---- $391.1'2 + i I Per submittal Inspection -- Foundation 5142.78 Per inspection _ - Inspection -- Framing S142.78 Per inspection Inspection -- Electrical 5142,78 Per inspection ------- Inspection -- Plumbing $14'.78 i Per inspection Inspection -- Mechanical $142,78 Per inspection Inspection -- Final $142.78 Per inspection Reinspection tall types) $142.78 Per inspection Certificate of Occupancy / Completion $150.82 Per certificate Revision / Resubmittal Review $142.78 Per resubmittal Demolition Permit $100.63 Per permit --- - Roofing Permit $100.63 Per permit Pool/Spa Permit $100.63 Per permit - Expedited Plan Review Surcharge $105.41 Per request After -Hours Inspection 1 $60.00 Per inspection PART II: TOTAL FEE BY PERMIT TYPE The total building permit fee for each category is the sum of the processing fee, plan review fee, and inspection fees (based on the number of required inspections for that permit type). The table below shows the total fee for a standard permit in each category. Page 5 OR BK 11462 PG 2801 Page 6 of 6 Medical! institutional $128.12 I $391.12 $7,139.00 $7,658.24 Shell building ! $128.12 I $142.78 $1,142.24 $1,413.14 Tenant buildout / alteration I $128.12 $142.78 I $2,141.70 $2,412.60 Accessory! storage I $128.12 $142.78 $1,713.36 $1,984.26 INDUSTRIAL Light industrial $128.12 $142.78 $4,283.40 $4,554.30 Heavy industrial / mfg. $128.12 $391.12 $14,278.00 $14,797.24 Warehouse / distribution $128.12 $142.78 $14,278.00 $14,548.90 PART III: PRIVATE PROVIDER FEE REDUCTIONS (COMMERCIAL ONLY) Per HB 803 and Section 553.791, F.S., the following reductions apply to commercial/industrial inspection fees when a qualified private provider is utilized: Private Provider Scenario Inspection Fee Reduction Processing Fee PP for inspections only 25% reduction No reduction (full amount) PP for plan review + inspections 50% reduction No reduction (full amount) PART IV: EXEMPTIONS AND NOTES $7,500 Residential Maintenance Exemption: No permit fee is charged for residential maintenance, repair, or improvement projects where the project cost does not exceed $7,500.00 and the project does not require plan review or more than one inspection (HB 803). Inspection Fee Basis: All inspection fees are based on the cost of providing inspection services ($142.78 per inspection event) and are not based on the cost or value of construction. The number of inspections varies by permit type. Electronic Submissions: The City accepts electronic submissions for permit applications, plans, and inspection requests per SB 1614. Revenue Limitation: Total projected annual revenue ($974,038.30) does not exceed total allowable annual costs ($1,222,800.00). This fee schedule is subject to annual review per Section 10 of the adopting Resolution. Complex Commercial Plan Review: Applies to assembly, restaurant, public assembly, medical, institutional, care facilities, and heavy industrial/manufacturing projects. Page 6