1k. Resolution Elminiating Plan Check Fees for Construction Projects Valued less than $3,000 CITYOF
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. - G CHANHASSEN
690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
1 (612) 937-1900
MEMORANDUM ° ,<"?+Inistra'IT.
TO: Don Ashworth, City Manager
1 FROM: Jim Chaffee, Public Safety Director ; ._ -f3o
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DATE: June 24 , 1988
' SUBJ: Memo from Steve Kirchman on Plan Check Fees
1 I fully concur with Steve' s request to eliminate the plan check
fee on jobs less than $3 ,000 in valuation. The object, as stated
in Steve' s memo, would be to encourage people to get permits for
1 small jobs .
By eliminating the plan check fee on jobs less than $3 ,000, we
would show the citizens of Chanhassen that the City is not always
out to increase fees . We would put an article in the newspaper
indicating that we have eliminated plan check fees for $3 ,000 of
1 valuation or less and encourage people to come in for building
permits . Just from a public relations standpoint, we could score
many points . The net effect of the reduction, however, would be
to encourage more people to get permits for small jobs and to
allow for inspections to insure compliance with code in con-
sideration of safety.
1 Recommendation
It is staff' s recommendation to adopt a resolution eliminating
the plan check fee on jobs less than $3 ,000 in valuation.
1 cc: Scott Harr, Assistant Public Safety Director
Ron Julkowski, Building Official
Steve Kirchman, Building Inspector
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. , CITY OF
,, CHANHASSEN
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�,„ y, :_ • 690 COULTER DRIVE • P.O. BOX 147 • CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
` (612) 937-1900 I
MEMORANDUM
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TO: Jim Chaffee, Public Safety Director
FROM: Steve A. Kirchman, Building Inspector ‘cp . I
DATE: June 14, 1988
SUBJ: Plan Check Fees II
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With summer construction season in full swing, we are encoun-
tering many complaints from homeowners about decks . Many decks
are built by homeowners without permits . When we discover this
or when we receive a report we investigate and require the
builder to get a permit. Many first time home buyers are under
the impression that the original permit for the house is good for II
one year. Others mistakenly believe only buildings need building
permits.
We receive many complaints from do-it-yourselfers about the cost I
of permits . We are required at present to charge the permit fee,
plan check fee and state surcharge. The plan check fee which is
65% of the permit fee, is a particular target of complaints .
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Plan checking on decks, roofing, basement finishing and other
small jobs is a matter of only a few minutes.
We believe that eliminating the plan check fee on jobs less than I
$3000 .00 valuation would do a great deal toward encouraging more
people to get permits for small jobs. We have consulted with
inspections departments in other cities and most have a similar
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policy. The $3000 .00 valuation should be large enough for most
decks, roofing, and basement finishing, but too small for most
additions. The inspections department places a value on
construction based on information supplied by the Minnesota
Division of Codes & Standards . State Building Code allows muni-
cipalities to establish fees, ( SBC 1305 . 0800) .
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Reduction of permit fees for small jobs should only be the first
step in encouraging homeowner compliance with the codes . Annual
springtime news releases stressing the importance of inspections II to insure a safe sound job should also be considered. The
increase in permits should offset the revenue lost on plan check
fees. The decks and additions would be safer, and citizens of II
Chanhassen would be happier with the city and contractors.
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