TITLE
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING AN UPDATED BUILDING AND ZONING FEE SCHEDULE; AND WAIVING SECOND READING
BODY
WHEREAS, on April 1, 2024, the City Council last amended the Building and Zoning fee schedule through ORD-0009-2024; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Planning proposes revisions to the Building and Zoning Fee Schedule to account for process improvements associated with implementing new permitting software, clarifying and consolidating permit types, and enhancing formatting; and
WHEREAS, these revisions are based on a review of internal permitting trends since 2018 and comparison with neighboring communities; and
WHEREAS, the building permit types are consolidated into new Minor Limited Scope permits for residential and commercial, which includes bleachers, solar energy systems, temporary structures, retaining walls, shoring of building, and warehouse racking; and
WHEREAS, consolidating building permits will provide clarity to the schedule and consistency across the building and trade (electrical and HVAC) permits; and
WHEREAS, additional updates include relocating sheds to the zoning portion of the fee schedule; eliminating contractor registration, as it is no longer required; eliminating roofing permits due to lack of Ohio Building Code requirements and safety issues; and eliminating engineering-related fees for asphalt driveway, concrete approach, sidewalk, and escrow; and
WHEREAS, the Department recommends increases to certain fees, such as a Commercial Deck permit fee increases to account for reviews and inspections, Electrical Alterations and Minor Limited Scope increases to provide consistency across electrical trade permits, and increases for inspections to align with standard practices and support development trends in the City; and
WHEREAS, the Administration requests waiver of second reading in order to allow the effective date of the Ordinance to coincide with the City’s new permitting software launch.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GAHANNA, COUNTY OF FRANKLIN, STATE OF OHIO:
Section 1. That the Building and Zoning Fee Schedule is hereby adopted as recommended in EXHIBIT A, attached hereto and made a part herein.
Section 2. That the second reading is hereby waived.
Section 3. That this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after passage by this Council and 30 days after date of signature of approval by the Mayor.