Understanding Your Permit Fees & Charges

California State Taxes

Permit Taxes
Seismic Motion Instrument Program Tax
Fee Purpose Funds earthquake fault monitoring stations
Authority for Fee CA Public Resources Code Sec 2705 (a)
How this Charge is Determined For residential occupancies this tax is calculated at .01% of the value of the proposed improvements, and .021% for commercial improvements (A 50 cent minimum is required)
Building Standards Commission "Green" Tax
Fee Purpose Funds CA green building code development
Authority for Fee CA Health and Safety Code Sec 18931.6 (a)
How this Charge is Determined For all improvements this tax is calculated at .004% of the value of the proposed improvements ($1.00 for every $25,000 of improvements), with a $1.00 minimum charge required

Community Development Agency Fees

Standard Rates
Planning Surcharge Fee
Fee Purpose Provides funds for ongoing and future Countywide General Plan maintenance and amendments
Authority for Fee Ord 3372
How this Charge is Determined This charge is calculated at 10% of the sum of the Building Permit Application Fee + the Building Permit Issuance Fee
Affordable Housing Fee
Fee Purpose Provides funds for ongoing and future affordable housing projects
Authority for Fee Ord 3500
How this Charge is Determined This charge applies to qualifying residential projects resulting in conditioned floor area greater than 2,000 sq ft
Technology Enhancement Fee
Fee Purpose Provides funds for ongoing and future technology improvements to enhance customer service and efficiency
Authority for Fee Sec 19.04.032 (d)(6) MCC
How this Charge is Determined This charge is calculated at 6% of the sum of the Building Permit Application Fee + the Building Permit Issuance Fee
Construction & Demolition Fee
Fee Purpose Fee to implement and maintain the Construction and Demolition Waste Recovery Program
Authority for Fee Ord 3389, 3390
How this Charge is Determined This charge varies from $50 - $250 depending on the sq ft of the proposed project
Building and Safety Fees
Building Permit Application Fee
Fee Purpose Covers cost of providing building permit counter processing and plan review services
Authority for Fee Ord 3528 Sec 19.04.032 MCC - Master Fee & Service Schedule
How this Charge is Determined Calculated as an average (77%) of the total Building & Safety service fee, as applicable
Building Permit Issuance Fee
Fee Purpose Covers cost of providing building inspection services and clerical processing after your building permit is issued
Authority for Fee Ord 3528 Sec 19.04.032 MCC - Master Fee & Service Schedule
How this Charge is Determined Calculated as the remaining (23%) of the total Building & Safety service fee, as applicable
Planning Fees
Zoning Review Fee
Fee Purpose Covers cost of reviewing your building permit application for conformance to local zoning and planning ordinances
Authority for Fee Ord 3529 - Exhibit "A" Planning Division Fees
How this Charge is Determined A flat fee is assigned from the Planning Division Fee Schedule as appropriate for the level of review your application requires

Department of Public Works

Standard Rates
Site Encroachment Fee
Fee Purpose Covers the cost of providing plan review and inspection services for exterior features such as grading, drainage and driveways
Authority for Fee Ord 3062 - Sec 3.48.020 #12 MCC
How this Charge is Determined This fee is manually calculated by DPW Land Development staff to recover the time and expense associated with review and inspection of your project
Roads Impact Fee
Fee Purpose Provides funds for ongoing and future road improvement and maintenance impacts
Authority for Fee Res No. 2003-97
How this Charge is Determined This charge is calculated at 1% of the value of the proposed improvements, for all improvements having a value of at least $10,000

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