Adams Looks to Revamp Permitting Fees for Buildings
ADAMS, Mass. — The town has undergone a department-wide fee update that includes an overhaul of the building fee model.
Town Administrator Tony Mazzucco told the Selectmen on Wednesday that the building permit fees have not been updated since 2004 and prices need to be adjusted to become cost neutral.
"We will at least make sure the town is not losing money. We won't make a whole lot but hopefully by increasing these fees ... in a few years we can get our whole building department to be tax neutral," Mazzucco said. "Many community's building departments turn in revenue to the general fun but we are technically at a loss."
Mazzucco said the biggest change will be in the new construction permit fee. Currently, there is a flat rate of $50 plus 25 cents per square foot. The new model would allow a permit to be issued based on the entirety of the estimated project.
"If I build a house and John builds a house, and they are both 1,000 square feet, but I am going all builders' grade and John is putting in a million bucks in the same square footage, his is going to be more complicated and more valuable," Mazzucco said. "He would pay the higher price and I would pay the lower permit fee."
Building Commissioner Don Torrico said there will be an increase in the new construction permit. Currently, a 2,000-square foot home would cost $550 to permit. Under the new schedule, it would cost $1,055.
Mazzucco said there is also a benefit on the commercial side because a warehouse and an office of the same size should not be treated the same.
Torrico said it takes more of his time to permit and inspect bigger projects with more luxury items such as radiant heat.
Mazzucco said smaller renovation projects, which is mostly what is permitted in town, may actually cost less under this new model.
Most communities have switched or are switching to this model, said Torrico, and that the rest of the fees came from the average of 12 different towns.
Torrico added that some fees decreased, such as the certificate of occupancy that dropped from $75 to $60.
Chairman Jeffrey Snoonian said he agreed with the increases but he would still like to go over the list before an official vote.
"If you run a deficit in your department from fees then basically every taxpayer is paying for me to get my deck inspected," he said. "We are all paying fees right now because I think in Adams we tend to be on the low side ... so before we start complaining we have all been paying for a while."
Torrico said often contractors come in for a permit and ask him if there is a mistake because the fee is so low.
Mazzucco said he would like to implement these fees Jan. 1.
Tags: permitting,
