ROXBURY — Building permit fees could soon jump from the current $10 to a maximum $250 per new residential building.

Selectmen voted 3-0 Tuesday night to hold a public hearing at 5 p.m. on Valentine’s Day on the proposed new fee schedule.

Selectman Timothy DeRouche said the board is attempting to hire a code enforcement officer by using a percentage of permit fees like they do for plumbing inspections to reduce taxes.

That way, the cost of a code enforcement officer would be transferred to residents that use the officer instead of those who don’t.

However, at $10 a permit they only collected $370 in 2010 and $450 for 2011, DeRouche said. Had the proposed fee schedule been in place, the same number of permits last year would have brought in $2,285.

Prior to 2009, it cost Roxbury $1,000 to $1,500 for a code enforcement officer. Now, due to increased state requirements to monitor and oversee town development, that cost spiked in 2011 to $6,640, which is the approved salary. Approved funds for mileage totaled $1,980.

That’s projected to jump to a salary of $8,550 in the future, while mileage remains the same, for a total of $10,530, according to the proposed ordinance.

With the new schedule in place, it could bring in an estimated $3,000 to $6,000.

Reading from the list of proposed fees, DeRouche said a building permit for a new house, camp or mobile and modular home would be $100. Basements, slabs and raised additions would cost $50, while decks, sheds, balconies and carports would cost $25.

There would be a $50 charge for new and add-on residential garages, while homeowner communication towers and wind turbines would cost $50 each.

Building permits for new commercial building construction would be maxed at $350 per building. Basement foundations, slabs and additions would cost $200, and add-on commercial accessory structures would cost $150.

For a change of use permit, whether seasonal or residential to commercial use, the cost is $250.

For commercial communication towers and wind turbines the fee would be $500 per tower.

Permit fees for 3 yards or more of fill (gravel, loam, etc.)  would be $10, with a Shoreland Zoning Permit where applicable; subdivision plans would cost $250 plus $50 per lot; construction in Shoreland Zoning would cost $50; and driveways, whether new or paving, would be $25.

This doesn’t include additional trade permits such as for electrical, internal plumbing, subsurface wastewater disposal, Shoreland Zoning, and more.

Additionally, the $10 application fee would be credited toward total permit fees, and the penalty for any work done without a permit would be double all applicable fees, with a minimum of $100.

DeRouche asked Chairman Jim Sutton if he should assemble the ordinance proposal for the March town meeting. Sutton said yes and asked DeRouche to include a summary.

tkarkos@sunjournal.com

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