City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

Meeting Date:              July 1, 2003

Item No.:         

Recommendation:  That the Common Council adopt Ordinance No. 2256 relating to plumbing code permit fees.

Background:  The following changes are being proposed: 

The current plumbing permit fee schedule for inspection of a sanitary or storm sewer or water service is $70.00 regardless of the footage.  Most commercial installations are in excess of 100 feet and, in some instances, exceed 800 feet.  This results in 2-5 additional inspections of the work being done.  The recommendation is to change the fee to $70.00 for the first 100 feet, plus $20.00 per every additional 100 feet.

The current fee schedule for dishwashers, toilet/lavatory and kitchen sink replacement requires a $50.00 minimum permit feet.  The existing fee for water heater replacement is $15 and the minimum fee does not apply.  This creates much confusion among permit applicants and discourages homeowners from taking out the permit and/or calling for an inspection. 

The recommendation is to delete water heaters from subsection (h) and move them under subsection (f) for a fee of $10.00.  Subsection (h) would then show fees for replacement fixtures exempt from the $50.00 minimum fee and would include replacement water heaters, dishwashers, kitchen sinks, toilets and lavatories.  This will standardize the permit fee for these fixtures and give an incentive for the homeowners who are making these installations to obtain a plumbing permit and get an inspection of the installation.  These types of installations have the potential of being cross-connected, a situation that can result in an unsafe water supply.

The current fee for verification of soil testing for mound septic tanks is $75.00.  The City does not have a state-certified soil tester and must contract out for this service, when needed.  The lowest fee was found to be $125.00, and the next lowest, $250.00.  The City does not receive any revenue from this fee, but is billed directly to the homeowner.  The recommendation is to increase the fee for soil testing to $125.00, but not to exceed $250.00 per test.

Fiscal Impact:  There will be minimal change to revenues for these types of fees.

Prepared by: John Devita Plumbing Inspector/Sanitarian	Respectfully submitted, Robert L. Kufrin City Administrator
Fiscal Review by: Beverly A. Buretta, CMC City Clerk

File name: S:\CLERK\COMMON COUNCIL AGENDAS\2003\07-01\PLUMBING FEE CHANGES CCR.Doc

Print Date: 6/27/2003 12:12 PM

Revision No. 13