Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Local Government Committee |
HB 1234
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Modifying certain building permit fees.
Sponsors: Representative Senn; by request of Department of Enterprise Services.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/21/15
Staff: Michaela Murdock (786-7289).
Background:
The State Building Code Council.
The State Building Code Council (Council) consists of 15 members who are appointed by the Governor representing, for example, local governments and the building construction profession. The Council's duties include: (1) adopting, amending, and maintaining model codes that comprise the State Building Code (SBC); (2) developing and adopting any code related to buildings as required by the Legislature; and (3) proposing a budget for the operation of the Council and submitting it to the Office of Financial Management. The Council may employ permanent and temporary staff and appoint technical advisory committees.
The State Building Code.
The SBC provides statewide minimum performance standards and requirements for construction and construction materials, consistent with accepted standards of engineering, fire, and life safety. The SBC is comprised of model codes, including building, residential, fire, and plumbing codes, adopted by reference in statute, as well as rules developed and adopted by the Council. Counties, cities, and towns are required to enforce the SBC within their jurisdictions.
Building Permit Fee.
The State Building Code Act (Act) imposes a fee of $4.50 on each building permit issued by a county, city, or town. An additional surcharge of $2 for each residential unit, not including the first unit, is imposed on each building containing more than one residential unit. Counties, cities, and towns may impose fees different from those set forth in statute, except with respect to agricultural structures.
Counties, cities, and towns are charged with collecting building permit fees and remitting all moneys collected to the State Treasury on a quarterly basis. Remitted funds are deposited into the Building Code Council Account for use by the Council, after appropriation, to perform the purposes of the Council.
The current fee of $4.50 on each building permit was adopted in 1989 when it was increased from $1.50 (Laws of 1989, chapter 256, House Bill 1768).
Summary of Bill:
The Act is amended to increase the amount of the fee imposed on each building permit issued by a county, city, or town, and to impose different fee amounts for residential and nonresidential building permits. For residential building permits, the fee is increased to $5.50, and for nonresidential permits, the fee is increased to $10.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2015.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.