Building in Portage may soon cost more. The city council is considering building permit fee adjustments.
Director of Planning and Community Development Tom Cherry told council members last week that those fees haven't been raised in about 10 years. "This wasn't just an arbitrary fee," Cherry said. "We actually studied surrounding areas, and we're up to par with everybody else."
Under the proposed ordinance, the permit for new residential construction would be $600, plus 28 cents per square foot. The fee for new commercial or industrial construction would be $800, plus 32 cents per square foot. The ordinance also lays out fees for various smaller projects.
It'll be up for the council's final approval on July 1.
Mayor Austin Bonta said it's part of a larger effort to bring Portage's fees in line with its expenses. "We have been trying pretty diligently to catch the city up in terms of appropriate costs, in particular, making sure that, quite frankly, developments are paying for themselves, the city is getting compensated adequately," Bonta told council members.
Over the past year, Portage has raised its sewer rate and adjusted fees for zoning and land use matters. At the same time, it's also eased some regulations on contractors and businesses planning building improvements.
Proposed Building Permit Fee Schedule:
New Residential: $600 + .28 per sq. ft.
Residential interior remodel: $150 + .20 per sq. ft.
New Commercial /Industrial: $800 + .32 per sq. ft.
New Commercial/Industrial Shell only: .32 per sq. ft.
Commercial/Industrial remodel: $600 + .25 per sq. ft.
Residential Demo: $175 + ILP
Commercial Demo: $300 + ILP
Detached Garage: $175 + ILP
Façade Sign/Face Change/Temp Sign: $75 + ILP
Ground Sign: $250 + ILP
Digital Sign: $250 + ILP
Plumbing: 3 fixtures min $50, each additional fixture $25 each
Electrical Residential Wiring: $250
Electrical Residential Miscellaneous: $125
Electrical Commercial: Single Phase $300, Three Phase $500 + .50 per amp over 200 amps
Residential Electrical Reconnect: $50
Commercial Electrical Reconnect: $100
Heating & Air: $160 each
Hood System new or replacement: $250 per unit
Non-Central Air & Heating: $80
Commercial/Industrial Fans: $100
Decks: $125 + ILP
Mobile Home: .30 per sq. ft. + ILP + Inspection fee
Residential Reinspection Fee: $75
Commercial Reinspection Fee: $150
Missed Residential Fee: $50
Missed Commercial Fee: $100
Commercial Roof: $6 per thousand
Residential Roof: $100
Residential Re-decking: $175
Commercial Re-decking: $8 per thousand
Pools-inground: $4 per thousand, min $250 + ILP
Pools-above ground: $80 + ILP
Siding & windows: $8 per thousand, min $80
Fence, sheds, and Driveways: ILP
Certificate of Occupancy Residential: $100
Certificate of Occupancy Commercial: $200
Registration fees: $100 application, $200 Registration
Renewal fee: $50 application, $100 Registration
30-day late fee: $50
Cell tower: $12 per thousand
Residential ILP: $50
Commercial ILP: $100
