"When we reviewed the current fees, we looked at neighboring counties and found that our fees were considerably lower," Gorse said.
"This is long overdue," she said, "and due to the increase in development in the county, the costs to process these permits and applications and the demand on the planning office is overwhelming. There is a need to consider hiring additional staff to keep up with this workload."
Proposed hikes
Proposed building and home-improvement fees and changes in Morgan County include:
Residential building permit fees:
- Residential/Recreational - $50 base fee plus 10 cents per square foot above-grade area (total living/finished space)
- Mobile Homes - 5 cents per square foot
The current fee for residential/recreational/mobile homes is 21/2 cents per square foot
- Outbuildings - 3 cents per square foot
The current fee for outbuildings/unattached garage is 2 cents per square foot
Improvements/additions:
- 5 cents per square foot for residences (living room, den, sunroom, etc.)
- 3 cents per square foot for deck and porches
The current fee for additions/improvements is 11/2 cents per square foot
- Renovations/fences: $20 (new siding, roof, yard fence, etc.)
The current fee for overall renovations (replacement of windows/roofs) is $10
Commercial improvement permits:
- Projects less than 2,000 square feet: $50 base fee plus 15 cents per square foot
- Projects more than 2,000 square feet: $250 base fee plus 15 cents per square foot
The current fee is $150 application fee plus 5 cents per square foot
Subdivision Fees:
- Minor subdivisions (4 lots or less): $250 application fee; $75 per lot; $50 advertising fee
- Primary plat (5 to 10 lots): $500 application fee; $75 per lot; $100 advertising fee
- Final plat (5 to 10 lots): $250 application fee; $50 advertising fee
- Preliminary plat (11 or more lots): $500 application fee; $100 per lot; $100 advertising fee
- Final plat (11 or more lots): $250 application fee; $50 advertising fee
All engineering fees billed separately
The current subdivision fees for major and minor applications: $200 base fee; $50 per lot; $25 advertising fee.
Miscellaneous fees:
- Farm application administrative fee: $20 each building
- Copies of ordinances: $10 each (currently $5/$3 each)
- Copy of comprehensive plan: $25 each (currently $10 each)
- Copies of building permits: $1 per page
