COUNTY OF SAN MATEO

Inter-Departmental Correspondence

Planning and Building Department

DATE:

September 21, 2009

BOARD MEETING DATE:

October 6, 2009

SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:

14 Day/Interested Party Mailing

VOTE REQUIRED:

Majority

TO:

Honorable Board of Supervisors

FROM:

Lisa Grote, Director of Community Development

SUBJECT:

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Adoption of Planning and Building Department Service Fee Schedule Amendments

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt a Resolution amending the Planning and Building Department’s Service Fee Schedules.

BACKGROUND

The Planning and Building Department is proposing to amend its service fee schedules to add or adjust planning and building fees. In addition to changing certain planning and building fees, the Department is proposing to modify the Building Inspection Section’s fee schedule to make it clearer. The Department of Public Works is also proposing to amend two of its service fees for services they provide in conjunction with development proposals as indicated on the Planning and Building Department’s service fee schedules.

The Planning and Building Department has not increased or amended any planning and building service fees since the adoption of the fee schedules for Fiscal Year 2004/05, which were intended to cover all or part of the cost of operation and to assist the Current Planning and Building Inspection Sections to become as self-supporting as possible. The Long Range Planning Section continues to be partially funded by the General Fund.

DISCUSSION

State law requires that fees not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing the service for which the fee is charged. Staff calculations show that the proposed fees would equal but not exceed the cost of the service the Department provides. Government Code Section 66014 also authorizes local governments to recover from permit applicants the cost of preparing the general plan and development regulations.

The Department is recommending the establishment or amendment of seven service fees to cover the cost of services the Current Planning Section has either been absorbing and providing at no cost to the public or that have not reflected the actual cost of providing the service. The new and amended fees for services include: Current Planning review fees for building permits, lot mergers, coastal development permits for lot line adjustments in the Coastal Zone, Williamson Act Program notices of non-renewal or contract amendment, research services, Design Review Committee public hearings for major revisions, and credit card processing fees. In addition, a “general plan update” fee is proposed for the Current Planning Fee Schedule. The new general plan update fee is only intended to supplement the budget for that project.

The Department is also recommending that the Building Inspection Section establish one new service fee to cover staff’s time to review construction plans and documents for projects located in a special hazards zone designated by FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency). In addition, the Department recommends that the Building Inspection Section also modify its fee schedule in an effort to clarify and simplify it. A number of fees have been either eliminated or replaced with a single flat fee that staff has determined to equate to the cost of providing that service.

The Department of Public Works is recommending two amendments of its service fees they provide in conjunction with development proposals. The amended fees are intended to cover the cost of services they have been absorbing and providing at no cost to the public. The amended fees are for additional plan reviews and site inspections for stormwater pollution prevention plans and additional plan reviews and site inspections for building permits or planning permits.

County Counsel has reviewed the staff report documents, Fee Schedules, and Resolution as to content and has approved their form and substance.

The approval of the Planning and Building Department’s service fee amendments contributes to the Livable Communities 2025 Shared Vision outcome because the service fees fund the services necessary to ensure that growth occurs near transit, promotes affordable, livable connected communities and the adjustments are consistent with State law that requires fees not to exceed the estimated reasonable cost of providing services.

FISCAL IMPACT

The Planning and Building Department service fees proposed in this report cover the cost of Current Planning’s review for building permits, lot mergers, coastal development permits, Williamson Act contract non-renewals and amendments, research, General Plan Update surcharge, and FEMA document review services are estimated to generate $180,000 annually.