AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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*LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE AMENDMENT: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY'S CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 13, "LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE," ARTICLE I, "ADMINISTRATION, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES," DIVISION 4, "FEE SCHEDULES," SECTION 13-83, "APPLICATION FEES, MISCELLANEOUS SERVICE CHARGES," TO IMPLEMENT MANDATORY FEE REDUCTIONS FOR PRIVATE PROVIDERS PERFORMING PLANS REVIEW AND INSPECTION SERVICES PURSUANT TO SECTION 553.791, FLORIDA STATUTES. (PUBLIC HEARING)
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BACKGROUND:
Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, authorizes property owners or contractors to retain licensed private providers (building code administrators, engineers, or architects) to perform building code plans review and/or inspection services. The statute permits local governments to require a property owner who elects to use a private provider for plans review to also use a private provider for inspections. The statute requires local governments to reduce permit fees by the amount of cost savings realized when such services are not performed by the jurisdiction. The statute allows flexibility in calculating the reduction, including use of a flat fee, percentage basis, or other reasonable methodology reflecting avoided costs. This proposed ordinance formally codifies the City's building permit fee reductions when private providers are utilized and ensures consistency with state law requirements.
DISCUSSION:
Following review of Section 553.791, Florida Statutes, and a survey of Broward County municipalities, staff determined that a percentage-based reduction is the most administratively efficient and equitable approach.
The proposed fee structure provides:
Scenario
Fee Adjustment
Private provider performs both plans review and inspections
15% reduction of building permit fee
City performs plans review; private provider performs inspections
5% reduction of building permit fee
Private provider retained after permit issuance (no City inspection...
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