The Dunwoody City Council at its June 10 meeting discussed a state-mandated change to the way that building permit fees will be charged for smaller projects.
Paul Leonardt, the city’s Deputy Community Development Director/Planning & Zoning, told the council that the Georgia State Legislature has changed the manner in which cities can charge for permits for projects under $75,000. Previously, the city charged $6 per $1,000 for residential permits and $8 per $1,000 for commercial projects.
However, the state recently passed House Bill 461, which must be enacted by July 1, giving cities an option of charging a flat fee or using a formula that takes into account direct labor and costs.
Leonhardt recommended the city use the flat-fee formula and walked the council through several scenerios comparing the way fees would be charged for smaller projects and larger ones under the $75,000 limit. In some cases, the permits would be more under the new system and in other cases, it would be less.
According to a memo from city staff, the average valuation of a residential project is $28,357.96. At $6 per $1,000 valuation, the average permit fee is currently $170.15. The staff recommended setting the new flat residential permit fee at $175.
The average valuation of a commercial project, according to the memo, is $40,959.44. At $8 per $1,000 valuation, the average permit fee is currently $327.68. The staff recommended setting the new flat residential permit fee at $350.
Council members discussed the implications of the new regulation, and will bring it back as an action item in a subsequent meeting, perhaps during one of the city’s specially called meetings in late June. Those meetings have been called to hold public hearings on the city’s millage rate.
In other action, Mayor Lynn Deutsch swore in Dunwoody’s newest police officer, Sebastian Wright.
The panel also heard from Sandy Springs Councilwoman Melody Kelly, who spoke about a collaboration between the two cities to celebrate Juneteenth, which will be held June 19 at the Sandy Springs city headquarters.