Explanation
BACKGROUND:
The Development Services Special Revenue Fund was created to support the activities of the Department of Building and Zoning Services and other agencies charged with the review of private development, construction review, and inspection processes. This fund is supported solely by fees collected from the users of these services associated directly with the private development, construction review, and inspection processes.
The current fee structure has been fully reviewed and compared to the actual cost incurred by the Department of Building and Zoning Services and other reviewing agencies and partners. As a result of this review, some fees have decreased, some have increased, while others have been simplified and condensed to make it easier for developers, contractors and homeowners to better anticipate development and construction related costs.
These proposed fee schedule changes have been reviewed by the Building Services Review Council (BSRC).
FISCAL IMPACT: Fees have been revised to better reflect the City's actual costs associated with the private development processes.
Title
To adopt a new Combined Development Related Fee Schedule for the Departments of Building and Zoning Services, Public Service and Public Safety, to be effective on Monday, January 14, 2019; and to amend City Code Section 3381.17 relating to sign erector license fees.
Body
WHEREAS, the Development Services Special Revenue Fund was created to support the activities of the Department of Building and Zoning Services and other agencies charged with the review of private development and construction review process; and
WHEREAS, the cost of all private development and construction review and inspection services were to be made self-sustaining through the creation of a special revenue fund called the Development Services Special Revenue Fund; and
WHEREAS, this fund is supported solely by fees collected from the users of these services associated directly with the private development and construction review and inspection process; and
WHEREAS, the current fee structure has been fully reviewed and compared to the actual cost incurred by the Department of Building and Zoning Services and other reviewing agencies and partners; and
WHEREAS, as a result of this review, some fees have decreased, some have increased, while others have been simplified and condensed to make it easier for developers, contractors and homeowners to better anticipate development and construction related costs; and
WHEREAS, these proposed fee schedule changes have been reviewed by the Building Services Review Council (BSRC); and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend City Code Section 3381.17 relating to sign erector license fees; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of the Departments of Building and Zoning services to adopt a new Combined Development Related Fee Schedule for the Departments of Building and Zoning Services, Public Service and Public Safety, to be effective on Monday, January 14, 2019; now, therefore:
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the attached revised Combined Development Related Fee Schedule for the Departments of Building and Zoning Services, Public Service and Public Safety, as authorized by City Code Section 4103.14, shall be incorporated fully as if set out at length herein and shall be utilized as the fee schedule for all functions and fees subject to it and shall become effective on January 14, 2019, or the earliest period allowed by law.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary for any refunds are hereby deemed appropriated.
SECTION 3. That the existing Combined Development Related Fee Schedule, initially adopted by Ordinance #2635-2013, which became effective January 6, 2014, and all amendments thereto, is hereby repealed.
SECTION 4. That the existing Section 3381.17 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby amended to read as follows:
3381.17 - License fees.
(A) A fee, as established by the fee schedule, shall be charged for each of the following conditions:
(1) The application;
(2) The department-issued license;
(3) The renewal of a department-issued license.
All such fees for a department-issued license are nonrefundable.
(B) In addition to the fees described above, there may be other fees stipulated by this code included in the fee schedule that pertain to a department-issued license. All such fees are nonrefundable.
(C) For accelerated processing, the fee shall be equal to that prescribed by the fee schedule.
(D) For licenses that would last longer than one year due to the prescribed expiration time frames, the fee as prescribed in the fee schedule shall be prorated on a monthly basis for the period that exceeds the initial 12 months.
Any person serving in the United States Armed Forces shall be exempt from license fees during the period of his or her active duty and his or her license may be renewed within 90 days of termination of active duty.
SECTION 5. That prior existing section 3381.17 of the Columbus City Codes is hereby repealed.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period provided by law.