New and increased building fees are now in effect in Banff.
Banff town council last week (Monday, March 14) passed second and final reading to an updated building permits fee schedule for 2011 and 2012.
Primary building permit fees for residential and non-residential construction are being maintained at 2010 rates. However, other charges are going up to more closely align with building permit fees in Calgary.
“The cost of building fees reflects the administration, review, approval and enforcement services provided by the municipality,” said Randall McKay, manager of planning and development.
The 2011 financial plan indicates that building inspections, development approvals and subdivisions will be set at levels for full cost recovery.
It also says comparisons will regularly be made to ensure fees and charged paid by residents and visitors are competitive with other Alberta communities and similar resort towns.
Council last month passed first reading of the bylaw, but wanted more information on options other than charging flat fees on projects that vary with the type and size of a building, such as demolition permits.
McKay said the demolition fee was amended to reflect a fee in line with the scale and scope of the project based on $2.25 per square metre, along with a minimum fee of $125 and a maximum fee of $2,500.
He said a demolition permit is only required when a building is being demolished to the foundation or beyond, or when partition walls are being removed in an existing leasehold space as part of a change in occupancy or redevelopment.
“The building inspector has advised that the majority of building permits issued include the demolition component of the development,” said McKay.
“A demolition permit was not required for the redevelopment of Sundance Mall or the Saitoh Building. However, a demolition permit was required to demolish Donald Cameron Hall and the Husky Station.”
