Chapter 3.80
PLANNING FEES
Sections:
3.80.030 Appeal fee – Appeals to hearing examiner.
3.80.040 Change of nonconforming use or structure fee.
3.80.050 Conditional use permit fee.
3.80.070 Critical areas permit fee.
3.80.090 Lot line adjustment fee.
3.80.100 Planned unit development fee.
3.80.110 Pre-application conference fee.
3.80.120 Preliminary plat fee.
3.80.130 Reasonable use exemption fee.
3.80.180 Special event permit fee.
3.80.190 Special use/combining district fee.
3.80.200 Special use permit fee.
3.80.010 General.
A. The fees stated in this chapter are for costs incurred by the planning, building, and public works divisions for processing and/or review of project permit applications. References to the director refer to the director of the community development department or his/her designee. The stated or estimated fee must be paid prior to the city issuing a notice of decision on a project permit application.
B. In addition to other applicable permit fees, all applicants will be required to pay for all actual costs of engineering, legal and other professional services performed by city staff or an independent contractor for the city for the processing and/or review of a project permit application, and for project inspection and compliance review after permit issuance. The hourly fee shall be the base salary or contract fee of the engineer or other professional plus benefits and administrative costs and overhead. An estimate of the cost will be made by the city at the time of application. If the actual cost of processing the application exceeds the estimate, the balance shall be paid prior to issuance of a notice of decision or the project permit. If the actual cost of processing the permit is less than the estimate, a refund shall be provided. Fees for project inspection and compliance review shall be paid prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy if applicable, or 30 days from date of invoice if the project is not one for which a certificate of occupancy is issued.
C. All project permit applications that require charging the applicant for the actual costs of processing the application shall include:
1. The hourly wage of the reviewer plus benefits and administrative overhead;
2. The cost of publishing legal notices in a newspaper as required by Chapter 14.06 FMC, Public Notice;
3. The cost of notifying any person the city is legally required to notice of the application;
4. The cost of notifying any person or organization that has expressed an interest in the application;
5. Staff costs for preparing reports and attending meetings on the application;
6. Other costs directly related to the project permit application as determined by the director.
D. In the event that a project permit application with a stated fee requires processing that is considered to be extraordinary by the director, the applicant shall be responsible for those costs. The applicant shall be notified in writing of the necessity for extraordinary review and provided the estimated cost of that review prior to further action being taken on the project permit application.
E. The director shall require staff to maintain records of all time and charges on project permit processing for applications that require the payment of estimated fees. In the event that the fee paid was greater than the cost of the review, the applicant shall receive a refund of the overestimated fee. If the estimated fee was not sufficient to cover the costs of the application, the applicant must pay the balance owing on the application prior to a permit being issued or maps approved.
F. Project permit applications that require publication of a legal notice include the cost of one such publication in the stated fee, if a fee is stated. In the event that the city must republish the legal notice, the applicant is responsible for the additional fee. All applications requiring publication will be published in the News Tribune newspaper.
G. If an applicant requests a review of a study, plans, or other documents prior to project permit application, the applicant must pay a fee that covers the review of the document or plans. The director has the option of estimating a review fee and requiring that fee to be paid prior to the review or charging the fee upon completion of the review prior to information on the review provided to the applicant. (Ord. 1929 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1777 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1416 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1366 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1228 § 2, 1996).
3.80.020 Annexation fee.
The fee for annexations shall be the actual review and processing costs of the application plus benefits and administrative overhead. At the time of application for annexation, the city shall estimate the cost of processing the application. The city shall require payment of the estimated fees in two parts as noted in subsections (A) and (B) of this section. The fee required by the boundary review board shall be paid by the applicant(s) directly to that body.
A. The first payment shall be made after the city council has authorized the circulation of a petition for annexation. The payment shall include all costs incurred through the first public hearing held by the city council on the annexation. Prior to additional work being undertaken on the annexation, the applicant(s) shall pay for the portion of the estimated fee that covers all costs incurred up to, and including, the public hearing at the city council at the time of the required signatures being submitted;
B. The second payment for the remainder of the fee shall be collected from the applicant prior to final boundary review board approval of the annexation. (Ord. 1228 § 3, 1996).
3.80.030 Appeal fee – Appeals to hearing examiner.
The fee for an appeal to the hearing examiner of decisions that relate to a single-family residence shall be assessed, as set forth in the current fee schedule, when the project or proposal is not part of a larger project, and shall be refunded if the appellant is successful in his or her appeal. For all other appeals, the appellant shall be responsible for payment of actual costs and expenses incurred, including but not limited to the time and expenses of the hearing examiner, and shall submit a deposit in the amount as set forth in the current fee schedule with the filing of the appeal. Unless waived by the director in writing, no appeals will be accepted by the city without the appropriate fee or deposit.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1593-06 § 21, 2006; Ord. 1228 § 4, 1996).
3.80.040 Change of nonconforming use or structure fee.
A fee for a permit for a change of nonconforming use or structure shall be assessed for single-family, multifamily, commercial, and industrial developments and uses as set forth in the current fee schedule. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee at the time of application.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 5, 1996).
3.80.050 Conditional use permit fee.
The fee for applications for a conditional use permit relating to a single-family residence shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule when the project or proposal is not part of a larger project. For all other conditional use permit applications, the applicant shall be responsible for payment of actual costs and expenses incurred, including but not limited to the time and expenses of the hearing examiner, and shall submit a deposit in an amount as set forth in the current fee schedule with the application. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee or deposit at the time of application.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1593-06 § 22, 2006; Ord. 1228 § 6, 1996).
3.80.060 Contract zoning fee.
The fee for contract zoning shall be $500.00 plus $30.00 per acre. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee of $500.00 plus $30.00 per acre at the time of application. (Ord. 1228 § 7, 1996).
3.80.070 Critical areas permit fee.
The fee for a critical areas permit shall be the actual review costs plus benefits and administrative overhead. The city shall make a preliminary determination of the cost of processing the critical areas permit and the applicant shall pay that estimated fee at the time of the application. The city shall bill the applicant for any remaining costs. The city shall not issue any permits until the entire fee has been paid. (Ord. 1228 § 8, 1996).
3.80.080 Final plat fee.
The fee for a final plat shall be the actual review costs plus benefits and administrative overhead. The city shall make a preliminary determination of the cost of processing the final plat and the applicant shall pay that estimated fee at the time of the application. The city shall bill the applicant for any remaining costs. The city shall not issue any permits or approve any maps until the entire fee has been paid. (Ord. 1228 § 9, 1996).
3.80.090 Lot line adjustment fee.
A fee for a lot line adjustment is as set forth in the current fee schedule plus the city engineer’s hourly review fee. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee at the time of application. The applicant is responsible for recording the lot line adjustment and paying the recording fees.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 10, 1996).
3.80.100 Planned unit development fee.
The fee for a planned unit development shall be the actual review costs plus benefits and administrative overhead. The city shall make a preliminary determination of the cost of processing the planned unit development and the applicant shall pay that estimated fee at the time of the application. The city shall bill the applicant for any remaining costs. The city shall not issue any permits or approve any maps until the entire fee has been paid. (Ord. 1228 § 11, 1996).
3.80.110 Pre-application conference fee.
The hourly fee for a pre-application conference shall be as set forth in the city’s current fee schedule.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 12, 1996).
3.80.120 Preliminary plat fee.
The fee for a preliminary plat shall be the actual review costs plus benefits and administrative overhead. The city shall make a preliminary determination of the cost of processing the preliminary plat and the applicant shall pay that estimated fee at the time of the application. The city shall bill the applicant for any remaining costs. The city shall not issue any permits or approve any maps until the entire fee has been paid. (Ord. 1228 § 13, 1996).
3.80.130 Reasonable use exemption fee.
The fee for a reasonable use exemption shall be the actual review costs plus benefits and administrative overhead. The city shall make a preliminary determination of the cost of processing the reasonable use exemption and the applicant shall pay that estimated fee at the time of the application. The city shall bill the applicant for any remaining costs. The city shall not issue any permits or approve any maps until the entire fee has been paid. (Ord. 1228 § 14, 1996).
3.80.140 Rezone fee.
The fee for a rezone shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee at the time of application.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 15, 1996).
3.80.150 SEPA fees.
A. Environmental Impact Statement. The fee for processing an environmental impact statement shall be based upon actual review costs. The costs shall be estimated at the time the city determines the environmental impact statement is required. The estimated fee shall be paid prior to any permits being issued or approved. The estimated fee shall include the cost of the final environmental impact statement. Supplements to the statements shall be charged for all review costs. The city will not prepare environmental impact statements on private projects but must approve the consultant used by the applicant to prepare the document.
B. Determination of Nonsignificance. The fee for a determination of nonsignificance (DNS) shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule. If an applicant is charged this fee and it is later determined that a mitigated determination of nonsignificance is necessary, the applicant shall pay the difference in fees.
C. Mitigated Determination of Nonsignificance. The fee for a mitigated determination of nonsignificance (MDNS) shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule. If an applicant is charged for a mitigated determination of nonsignificance and it is later determined that a determination of nonsignificance is appropriate, the city shall refund the difference in fees if, in the opinion of the director, a refund is warranted.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 16, 1996).
3.80.160 Short plat fee.
The fee for a short plat is $300.00 plus the city engineer’s hourly review fee. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee of $300.00 at the time of application. The applicant is responsible for recording the short plat and paying the recording fees. (Ord. 1228 § 17, 1996).
3.80.170 Sign permit fees.
The fees for sign permits are as set out in Chapter 16.08 FMC. (Ord. 1228 § 18, 1996).
3.80.180 Special event permit fee.
The fee for a special event permit shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule. The applicant shall also be billed for any necessary police, public works, or other city personnel or services required as a result of the special event. If the cost for city personnel or services is known prior to the special event, payment of that fee is required prior to the special event permit being issued. No additional special event permits shall be issued for an applicant until all previous fees have been paid.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 19, 1996).
3.80.190 Special use/combining district fee.
The fee for a special use/combining district shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee at the time of application.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 20, 1996).
3.80.200 Special use permit fee.
The fee for a special use permit shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 21, 1996).
3.80.210 Street vacation fee.
The fee for a street vacation shall be as set forth in the current fee schedule.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1228 § 22, 1996).
3.80.220 Variance fee.
A fee for applications for a variance from the zoning code or sign code relating to a single-family residence shall be assessed, as set forth in the current fee schedule, when the project or proposal is not part of a larger project. For all other variance applications, the applicant shall be responsible for payment of actual costs and expenses incurred, including but not limited to the time and expenses of the hearing examiner, and shall submit a deposit in an amount as set forth in the current fee schedule with the application. If the application requires engineering review, the applicant is responsible for the city engineer’s hourly fees. The city engineer will estimate his hours and the applicant shall pay that estimate in addition to the stated fee or deposit at the time of application.
The current fee schedule relating to this section of the Fife Municipal Code is available at Fife City Hall and at the city of Fife’s website: www.cityoffife.org. (Ord. 1783 § 1 (Exh. A), 2012; Ord. 1593-06 § 23, 2006; Ord. 1228 § 23, 1996).