[ Council Communication ]  [ Proposed Resolution ]

Council Communication

Title:	Adoption of a Resolution Adopting Building Valuation Data for Purposes of Issuing Building Permits
Dept:	Department of Community Development, Building Division
Date:	June 4, 2002
Submitted By:	John McLaughlin, Director of Community Development Mike Broomfield, Building Official
Reviewed By: ........................	Greg Scoles, City Administrator

Synopsis:	Adoption of this resolution is the first phase of Building Division fee adjustments to provide the level of service required by the citizens of Ashland in processing building permit applications.
Recommendation:	Staff recommends that the Council adopt the attached resolution of the 2002 Building Standards building valuation data to be effective July, 1, 2002 (Exhibit C).
Fiscal Impact:	It is estimated the adoption of this new valuation data will result in an increase in building department revenues of approximately 10% - 15%.
Background:	The city currently uses the 1979 Building standards building valuation table which has been updated to 1994 values (Exhibit A). This data does not reflect construction value as defined in the Uniform Building Code (UBC) Section 223, which refers to current replacement costs. A more accurate reflection of current replacement costs is found in the building valuation data shown in the 2002 Building Standards April edition (Exhibit B). This is the building valuation data commonly used by other communities in Oregon. The attached resolution provides for the adoption of the most current building valuation data, and provides for annual adjustments to that data annually on July 1 of each year. The adoption of these new valuations, as well as future proposals for fee schedule increases, were presented as part of the budget process for the Building Division. As Ashland continues to grow and additional demands are placed on the Building Division, the amount of time required to process a building permit application increases. In addition, the number of inspections increase based on the demand for building permits issued and the increase in required inspections mandated in the specialty codes adopted by the city. In the near future, the Building Division will request fee increases to ensure that we provide: 1) the level of service required by the citizens of Ashland, 2) a self supporting division, and 3) a reserve to protect the division and staffing levels in an economic slowdown. Additional resources are needed to comply with new legislative requirements to streamline the plan review process (a maximum turnaround time of ten days for "simple" single family dwelling plans). Senate Bill (SB) 587 was effective July 1, 2000. New legislation was introduced this year to mandate the same requirement for commercial plan review. The State of Oregon Building Codes Division has shown concern that local jurisdictions may not provide adequate services for building code enforcement and appropriate customer service due to limited revenue. This concern has prompted changes to ORS 455.210, which allows the adoption of building fees as may be necessary and reasonable to provide for the administration of the specialty codes as adopted by the city and specifies that such fees be used solely for the administration and enforcement of the building inspection program. On July 1, 1999, the State of Oregon Building Codes Division (which administers many city/county building programs throughout the state) increased its building permit fees 30% with the passage of SB 287. This was the first increase since the 1979 fees were adopted. This action and passage of SB 587for local jurisdictions provide reasonable and necessary fee increases. Notwithstanding this new process, the current Oregon Structural Specialty Code Section 107.2 states "The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this code shall be made by the building official".

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Exhibit C

RESOLUTION NO. 2002-

A RESOLUTION ADOPTING BUILDING VALUATION DATA FOR PURPOSES OF ISSUING BUILDING PERMITS

THE CITY OF ASHLAND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:

SECTION 1. The City of Ashland Building Division building valuation data is amended as shown on the attached Exhibit "B," and shall be effective July 1,2002. The building valuation data shall be adjusted each year on July 1 thereafter based on the most current building valuation data as referenced by Building Standards magazine, published by the International Conference of Building Officials in Apdl of each year.

SECTION 2. This resolution takes effect upon signing by the Mayor.

This resolution was read by title only in accordance with Ashland Municipal Code § 2.04.090 and duly PASSED and ADOPTED this __ day of June, 2002.

Barbara Christensen, City Recorder

SIGNED and APPROVED this ____day of June, 2002.
Alan W. DeBoer, Mayor

Reviewed as to form:
Paul Nolte, City Attorney

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Exhibit "B" is available as a PDF file.  Please click on the link below to view the file.