Builders and contractors will have a simpler system to navigate after Airdrie City council approved a bylaw amendment at its regular meeting Nov. 16 which introduces a single permit fee structure.
Now included under a single fee are permits for building, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, gas, post and pad, lighting, and temporary heat.
According to Pertti Harkonan, Building Inspections team leader at the City of Airdrie, the single permit fee structure will result in a savings of approximately $128 on the average 2,050 square feet single family dwelling, but an average increase of $34 for townhouse units and an average increase of $80 for duplexes.
“From some research that we’ve done, we’ve found that a lot of builders are having an issue with some of the processes they have to go through to get new permits,” Harkonan said.
“We’ve proposed that we go to the single permit fee bylaw to improve the customer’s ability to budget for their permit costs – that’s one of the things they let us know was important. This should reduce the time consuming permit fee calculations that are involved in actually putting a permit in and the turn around times for applications.”
A telephone survey was done with 10 main builders and contractors who do a lot of work in Airdrie in September, according to Harkonan. The result of that survey showed 96 per cent of respondents were in favour of moving to a single permit fee structure.
Harkonan said staff compared the fees with other communities who have made fee adjustments in the last year.
“One of the fees we are proposing adjusting is construction value fees, which are higher in a lot of the other communities and minimum fees as well to compensate for the amount of time it takes to do the inspections,” he said.
Under the amended bylaw, a fee of $8.00 per $1,000 in construction value will increase to $8.50 per $1,000 in construction value to align with other communities. This will result in approximately $40,000 in additional revenue for the City based on a construction value of $80 million.
Minimum accessory fees increase from $80 to $100, reflecting an increase in overall revenues of $21,320. Minimum commercial fees are adjusted from $80 to $120 for an increase in revenues of $2,520.
Mayor Peter Brown asked if the tougher economic times were having an impact on the builders and whether they would be concerned by the increased permit fees in some areas.
“I’m not sure what we’re going to be seeing. I’ve talked to some of the builders and they’ve spoken about reducing some of their bills,” Harkonan said. “Development permits are coming in. We probably have about a dozen development permits that are not only residential but commercial that are earmarked for coming in the first part of the year.”
Harkonan added this is similar to the number of permits received at the beginning of 2015.
Council approved third and final reading of the new bylaw. Full details about the new fees will be posted on the City’s website at airdrie.ca
