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Report To: Planning and Development Committee
Date of Meeting: February 12, 2024 Report Number: FSD-006-24
Submitted By:
Reviewed By:
Authored By:
Trevor Pinn, Deputy CAO, Finance and Technology / Treasurer
Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO By-law Number:
Brent Rice, Chief Building Official
File Number: Resolution#:
Report Subject: Building Permit and Inspection Fee Amendments and New Building By-
Law
Recommendation:
1.That Report FSD-006-24, and any related delegations or communication items, be
received;
2.That the Building By-law, attached to Report FSD-006-24, as Attachment 2, repealing
By-law 2017-086, be approved;
3.That all interested parties listed in Report FSD-006-24, and any delegations, be advised
of Council’s decision.
Municipality of Clarington Page 2
Report FSD-006-24
Report Overview
This report provides an update on the Building Permit Fee study and proposed amendments
to the Building By-law.
1. Background
1.1 In the fall of 2022, the Municipality retained the services of Hemson Consulting Ltd., to
undertake a building permit fees study to comply with Building Code Statute Law
Amendment Act, 2002 – Bill 124. This study analyzes the costs of administering and
enforcing the Building Code in Clarington and makes recommendations regarding the
new building permit fees necessary to recoup the cost of providing the required building
permit services.
1.2 The current building permit fees were approved by Council through Report EGD -020-17
and By-Law #2017-086. Building permit and inspection fees were increased by 3% each
year (2018 to 2022). The building permit fees study was to be updated in 20 23 to
determine if the present permit fees are still adequate to administer and enforce the
Building Code.
1.3 The Municipality hired Hemson Consulting Ltd. in the fall of 2022 to update the building
permit fees study. Please refer to Attachment 1 for Hemson Consulting Ltd., 2023
Building Permit Fee Update Study.
1.4 The Building Code Statute Law Amendment Act, 2002 was passed by the provincial
government in response to the building industry’s concerns that many municipalities
were collecting large permit revenues but not providing adequate services. The
legislation created a business unit that operates within the municipality but is financially
self-sustaining. The legislation requires that permit fees can only be used for the
administration and enforcement of the Ontario Building Code Act. Permit fees can be
set to cover direct and indirect costs, and to contribute to a reserve fund which will
finance the administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act during an
economic downturn when annual permit revenue may be reduced.
1.5 Bill 124 also included the following requirements of Municipalities and Building
Inspectors:
Legislated minimum time frames for building permit review process which added
more pressure to the building staff for the processing of building permit.
Legislated time frames for mandatory inspections of buildings plus additional
heating inspections were required.
Municipality of Clarington Page 3
Report FSD-006-24
Notification for an inspection must now be undertaken within two days of being
notified, adding more pressure to the building staff. All Building Officials must take
the Ministry of Housing exams and become qualified in numerous categories in
order to perform plans examination and inspections.
Building Code Regulations
1.6 The Building Code is continually evolving to address lessons learned from building
failures/fires, new technologies, and climate change.
1.7 A new Ontario Building Code is anticipated to be filed in the 1st quarter of 2024. The
current edition of the Building Code was released in November 2012 and took effect
January 1, 2014.
Requirements for Changing Fees
1.8 The Ontario Building Code, Division C – Part 1 article 1.9.1.2 requires that before
passing a by-law, regulation, or resolution under Clause 7(1)(c) of the Building Code Act
to introduce or change a fee imposed for applications for a permit or for the issuance of
a permit, a principal authority shall:
a) hold at least one public meeting at which any person who attends has an
opportunity to make representations with respect to the matter,
b) ensure that a minimum of 21 days’ notice of the public meeting is given in
accordance with Clause (c), including giving 21 days’ notice to e very person and
organization that has, within five years before the day of the public meeting,
requested that the principal authority provide the person or organization with such
notice and has provided an address for the notice,
c) ensure that the notice under Clause (b),
• sets out the intention of the principal authority to pass the by-law, regulation,
or resolution under section 7 of the Act and whether the by-law, regulation, or
resolution would impose any fee that was not in effect on the day the notice is
given or would change any fee that was in force on the day the notice is given,
• is sent by regular mail to the last address provided by the person or
organization that requested the notice in accordance with Clause (b), and
• sets out the information described in Clause (d) or states that the information
will be made available at no cost to any member of the public upon request,
and
Municipality of Clarington Page 4
Report FSD-006-24
d) make the following information available to the public:
an estimate of the costs of administering and enforcing the Act by the
principal authority,
the amount of the fee or of the change to the existing fee, and
the rationale for imposing or changing the fee.
Building Permit Fees
1.9 In the 2005, Report EGD-24-05 for Building Regulatory Changes – Impact of Building
Code Statute Law Amendment Act and Ontario Regulation 305/03, Coun cil approved
the increasing of the building permit fees and inspections rates by 41.11%. The fees
approved in 2005 were constant over a five-year period which enabled the building
community to forecast its building construction costs in Clarington.
1.10 In the 2011, Report EGD-011-11 , Building Permit and Inspection Fee Amendments and
New Building By-law, Council approved the increase of building permit fees and
inspections by 16.4% along with an annual 3 percent indexing to be written into the
building by-law. The annual indexing percentage was effective January 1st each year.
This annual indexing percentage assisted in keeping the revenues more in alignment
with the building permit and inspection costs that increase annually due to employer and
employee benefits, staff negotiations, and operating costs within the Building Division .
1.11 In the 2017, Report EGD-020-17 for Building Permit and Inspection Fee Amendments
and New Building By-law, Council approved the increasing of the building permit fees
and inspections rates by 1.30% and the fees were indexed by 3% each year over the
past five-year period.
1.12 The updated study by Hemson Consulting Limited has determined that the present
building permit fees are inadequate to recover the “anticipated reasonable cost” or
administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act.
1.13 The following table lists the allowable cost recovery items and establishes a total cost
projected for 2024 for the provision of Building Code services in the Municipality.
Summary of the Analysis of Costs.
Municipality of Clarington Page 5
Report FSD-006-24
Cost Type Average Annual Cost
Direct (Note 1) $3,181,000
Indirect (Note 2) 409,100
Reserve Fund Contribution 77,500
Total $3,667,600
Note 1 - Direct costs – cost of the Building Division for processing of building permit
applications, review building plans, conducting inspections, and building related
enforcement duties.
Note 2 - Indirect costs – cost for the support and overhead services to the Building
Division.
1.14 The annual building permit revenue is estimated at $3,667,600 on a forecast of future
building activity. This forecast was prepared by Hemson Consulting Limited, based on
current building data, existing trends and discussions with Mun icipal staff.
1.15 The total cost projected for 2024 exceeds the estimated building permit revenues by
8.99%.
Projected Costs $3,667,645
Estimated Revenues $3,365,023
% Difference 8.99%
1.16 In accordance with the provisions of the Building Code Act, the Municipality is permitted
to increase all building permit fees and inspection fees by 8.99%, which equates to an
increase for a single-family dwelling from $15.33 to $16.71 per square metre. A list of
the current and proposed fees is included starting on page 23 of Hemson’s report
included as Attachment 1.
1.17 The revenue stream from the proposed fee increase will cover the anticipated direct and
indirect costs to the Municipality as allowed by the Building Code Act, as well as
contribute to the reserve fund as permitted by legislation. This reserve fund would be
used to maintain services during an economic downturn.
Municipality of Clarington Page 6
Report FSD-006-24
Public Meeting
1.18 A Public meeting will be held pursuant to the Building Code Act on February 12, 2024,
at the commencement of the same Planning and Development Committee meeting
where Committee is receiving this report.
1.19 Should Council wish to consider amendments to the Building By-Law based on either
communications or delegations at the public meeting or by Committee request, it is
suggested that an addendum report be requested to specifically address issues raised.
Annual Building Permit Fees Report
1.20 The building code requires that a report be prepared annually showing the total fees
collected in the previous twelve-month period. This report must also show a summary of
the indirect and direct cost of delivering the building services and the amount of reserve
fund established for administration and enforcement of the Building Code. This annual
report is sent to Council as information and then posted on Clarington’s website every
year.
Changes to Our Building By-law
1.21 Changes have been made to the Building By-law to clarify and streamline the process,
and administration and enforcement of the Building Code Act. A new Building By-law is
proposed (see Attachment 2), which includes the following major changes:
Amended the requirement for plans, specifications, documents, and other
information required to be submitted electronically.
Amended to reflect the new department names.
2. Financial Considerations
2.1 Should Council decide not to approve the 8.99% increase to the building fees or delay
making a decision or modify the percentage increase to the building fees, it could place
an undue burden on the tax levy as a result of the present shortfall in the building
services unit.
3. Strategic Plan
3.1 Undertake a building permit fees study analyzing the costs of administering and
enforcing the Building Code in Clarington and making recommendations regarding new
building permit fees necessary to efficiently operate the Building Division and ensuring
that the cost of providing the required building permit services is recouped aligns with
Municipality of Clarington Page 7
Report FSD-006-24
the Strategic Plans objective; To be a leader in the delivery of efficient, effective, and
meaningful municipal services.
4. Concurrence
4.1 This report has been reviewed by the Deputy CAO, Finance and Technology and the
Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure who concur with the recommendation.
5. Conclusion
5.1 It is respectfully recommended that increasing the building permit fees by 8.99% on
March 1, 2024, with an indexing of 3% annually on January 1st of each future year,
allows the Building Division to be financially self -sustainable while providing the building
industry the ability to budget for the applicable building permit fee. The revisions to the
building by-law provide clarity and streamline the process of administering a nd
enforcement of the Building Code Act and the Building Code.
Staff Contact: Brent Rice, Chief Building Official, 905-623-3379 extension 2303 or
brice@clarington.net.
Trevor Pinn, Deputy CAO, Finance and Technology, 905-623-3379 extension 2602 or
tpinn@clarington.net
Carlos Salazar, Deputy CAO, Planning and Infrastructure, 905-623-3379 extension 2402 or
csalazar@clarington.net.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – Hemson Consulting Ltd. 2023 Building Permit Fee Update Study
Attachment 2 – New Building By-law
Interested Parties:
There are no interested parties to be notified of Council's decision.
DRAFT REPORT
PREPARED BY HEMSON FOR THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATESTUDY
November 7th, 2023
1000 - 30 St. Patrick Street, Toronto ON M5T 3A3
416 593 5090 | hemson@hemson.com | www.hemson.com
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
1.INTRODUCTION 2
A.Building Code Act Fee Requirements 2
B.Report Structure 3
2.BUILDING CODE ACTIVITIES IN CLARINGTON 4
A.Current Permit Application Process 4
B.Future Service Delivery 4
C.Permit Fees 5
3.ANALYSIS OF REVENUES 6
A.Historical Building Activity 6
B.Historical Permit Fee Revenues 6
C.Projected Permit Revenues 10
4.ANALYSIS OF COSTS 12
A.Direct Costs 13
B.Indirect (Overhead) Costs 19
C.Reserve Fund Contribution 21
D.Cost Summary 21
5.CALCULATED FEES 22
A.Full Cost Recovery Fees 22
B.Permit Fee Comparisons 26
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2017, the Municipality of Clarington undertook a review of its building permit fees. The
purpose of the review was to calculate fees that recovered the full cost of providing Building
Code services in accordance with the Building Code Act. Fees were calculated on the basis
that they would be reviewed on a five-year cycle, and fees have been adjusted each year to
account for the effects of inflation.
Given that the five-year fee cycle is complete, the Municipality has initiated a building
permit fee review update. The objective of the update is to recalculate full cost recovery
building permit fees based on the current Building Code expenditure information and
revenue forecasts.
Note that this cycle of the building permit fee study was set to take place in 2022, following
the five-year cycle from 2017. However, as a result of the recent changes made to the
Planning Act and Development Charges Act by the province which implicates the way the
Municipality would review development applications and the revenues received, the review
was delayed by a year.
The full cost of providing Building Code services in the Municipality is as follows:
SUMMARY OF ALL COSTS
Total Direct Costs $3,181,000 86.7%
Total Indirect Costs $409,100 11.2%
Reserve Fund Provision $77,500 2.1%
Total Costs $3,667,600 100%
Note: Figures are rounded
The anticipated average annual revenue from building permits for the review period (2023-
2027) is as follows:
SUMMARY OF PROJECTED AVERAGE ANNUAL REVENUES (2023 2027)
Residential New Dwelling Units $2,464,000
Residential Other $183,000
Non-Residential and other $718,000
Total Average Annual Revenue $3,365,000
The average annual costs projected for the five-year period (2023-2027) exceed the
anticipated average building permit fee revenues over the five years by 8.99% As such, the
maximum increase in permit fees, which can be justified under the Building Code Act is
8.99% on the 2023 fees levied in the Municipality of Clarington.
Executive Summary | 1
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
1. INTRODUCTION
In 2017, the Municipality of Clarington undertook a review of its building permit fees. The
purpose of the review was to calculate fees that recovered the full cost of providing Building
Code services in accordance with the Building Code Act. The Review concluded that the
Municipality could justify increasing its building permit fees by 1.30% to achieve full cost
recovery. Following the review, the Municipality increased its fees to achieve full cost recovery.
The 2017 review calculated building permit fees on the basis that they would be reviewed
every five years. Given that the five-year cycle was completed in 2022, the Municipality has
initiated a building permit fee review study. Hemson Consulting Ltd. was retained to assist
with the study. The analysis looks at the fees required to recover the full cost of
administering and enforcing the Building Code over the next five years from 2023-2027.
Note that this cycle of the building permit fee study was set to take place in 2022, following
the five-year cycle from 2017. However, as a result of the recent changes made to the
Planning Act and Development Charges Act by the province which impacts the way the
Municipality would review development applications and the revenues received, the review
was delayed by a year.
A. BUILDING CODE ACT FEE REQUIREMENTS
Municipalities are responsible for ensuring that building construction is undertaken in
accordance with the provisions of the Building Code Act, 1992 (the Act). To offset the costs of
providing Building Code services, municipalities are permitted to charge fees for building
permit applications and inspections of buildings. The Act states that Building Code fees must
not exceed “the anticipated reasonable costs” required to administer and enforce the Building
Code during building construction. In addition, municipalities must prepare an annual report
that records the amount of its fees as well as the cost it incurs during the process.
The current Building Code continues Ontario Regulation 305/03, which introduced the
requirement that the annual report must record both the direct and indirect costs of
reviewing building permit applications and of conducting various inspections (i.e. permit
inspections and septic maintenance inspections). It also required a municipality to report on
any reserve funds it may have. Finally, the Regulation sets out the requirements for a public
process that must accompany the setting of building permit and inspection fees.
There is no provision in the Building Code Act for appealing fees.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
B. REPORT STRUCTURE
This report is divided into the following sections:
Section 2 provides a description of the way in which the Municipality carries out its
responsibilities under the Act. It also describes the current building permit fee structure.
Section 3 contains an analysis of past building permit activity and an assessment of the
level of activity that is reasonable to anticipate over the next five years for the purposes of
setting fees.
Section 4 presents an analysis of the anticipated direct and indirect (overhead) costs of
delivering services required to administer and enforce the Building Code and related
Municipal Act fees under the authority of the Building Division.
Section 5 reviews the current building permit fee structure and proposes new fee rates for
the Municipality on the basis of a five-year cycle. Fee comparisons with surrounding
municipalities are also made.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
2. BUILDING CODE ACTIVITIES IN CLARINGTON
Section 3(2) of the Building Code Act require councils of municipalities to appoint a chief
building official and inspectors to carry out the enforcement of the Ontario Building Code.
A number of municipal staff are responsible for processing applications and conducting
inspections in respect of building in Clarington. Despite most of the work resting with the
Building Inspection department, there is some support from Planning and Infrastructure
Services, Fire and Emergency Services and Legal Services. The Building Inspection
department is led by the Chief Building Official, who reports directly to the Director of
Planning and Infrastructure Services. The offices are located at the Municipal
Office at 40 Temperance Street, Bowmanville, Ontario.
A. CURRENT PERMIT APPLICATION PROCESS
The activities of the Building Inspection department are related to administering and
enforcing the Building Code. Anywhere between 900 and 1,300 building permit applications
are received annually, and each application undergoes a lengthy review process. The
Building Code requires that a municipality review a permit application within a certain
timeframe where the application meets the criteria set out in the Code. Within this
timeframe, the Chief Building Official must either issue the permit or refuse it with reasons
for denial. The process usually involves one or more inspections of each building site and
may also involve staff in other departments such as Planning and Infrastructure Services
(includes engineering), Fire and Emergency Services (for fire prevention related inspection)
and Legal Services.
B. FUTURE SERVICE DELIVERY
department intends to hire a total of five new positions through to 2030 - supervisor of
inspections, two new building inspectors, a plumbing/HVAC inspector, and permit
coordinator. The timing of the new positions is somewhat dependent on the level of permit
activity as a result, only a proportion of the these salaries are included in the cost analysis
despite these positions being 100% related to administering and enforcing the Building
Code.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
C. PERMIT FEES
Permit fees are collected when permits are issued. As fees are based on the individual
components of an application there is no set fee for any given application type. There are in
fact more than 70 different fee categories. The Municipality currently uses several methods
of charging fees. The bulk of the fees are based on building area (i.e. $/square metre), but
there are also flat rate fees (see Schedule B of the current fees By-law 2017-086).
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
3. ANALYSIS OF REVENUES
This section contains an analysis of recent building activity in Clarington and a summary of
the level of activity that is anticipated over the next five years for the purposes of setting
fees.
A. HISTORICAL BUILDING ACTIVITY
In the preceding five year period from 2018 through 2022, the average number of permits
issued in Clarington was 1,097 (see Table 1), which is a slight decline from the sample
period of the previous review (2012-2016). Overall, about 82% of permits are related to
residential construction, which includes permits related to the creation of new residential
units, new sheds, decks, garages, as well as other interior alterations requiring a building
permit.
B. HISTORICAL PERMIT FEE REVENUES
Building permit fee revenue has shown periods of volatility over the last five years but
averaging approximately $2.6 million per year since 2018. Overall, 2018 was the highest
grossing year at over $3.3 million, while 2022 was the lowest at $1.9 million (Table 2).
Of total revenues, 76% can be attributed to residential related permit fees. Despite the
immediate impacts that COVID-19 had on development in the community, 2020 and 2021
permit data indicates development activity was quick to recover, however, 2022 saw a
significant decline in permit revenue compared to the 5-year average.
other residential and non-residential types) for the period of 2018 through 2022 is provided
in Table 2. The table demonstrates that the number of new residential permits is highly
correlated with the total revenue. Further to that, Figure 1 displays the relationship between
permit volume and fee revenues in Clarington between 2018 and 2022. The figure
demonstrates the close correlation between permit volumes and fee revenues.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
Figure 1: Building Permit Activity Municipality of Clarington 2018-2022
$3,500,000 1,400
$3,000,000 1,200
$2,500,000 1,000
$2,000,000 800
$1,500,000 600
$1,000,000 400
$500,000 200
$- 0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022
Total Permit Revenue Permit Activity Total Permit Revenues (2023$) Permit Volume Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 1
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
BUILDING PERMIT ACTIVITY 2018-2022
Category of Permit Types
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
5 Year
Average
2018-2022
# of Permits by Type
Residential (1) 1,057 758 990 910 793 902
Industrial 36 27 22 16 43 29
Government 9 5 7 20 5 9
Commercial 65 64 65 82 57 67
Institutional 19 16 11 19 13 16
Agricultural 43 20 18 33 17 26
Demolition 47 47 60 47 43 49
Total 1,276 937 1,173 1,127 971 1097
Note 1: Includes permits related to the creation of new residenital units, interior alterations and other permits (deck s, garage, sheds, etc.).
Sources: Municipality of Clarington Building Permit data.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 2
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
BUILDIING PERMIT FEE REVENUE 2018 - 2022 (in $2023)
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
5 Year
Average
2018-2022
Total Adjusted Fee Revenue
$ 3,306,816
$ 2,116,275
$ 2,655,518
$ 3,083,866
$ 1,887,641
$ 2,610,023
Fee Revenue by Permit Type (1)
Residential $ 2,426,276 $ 1,383,510 $ 2,337,453 $ 2,511,525 $ 1,271,897 $ 1,986,132
Industrial $ 617,227 $ 497,593 $ 79,878 $ 104,736 $ 399,953 $ 339,877
Government $ 71,472 $ 237 $ 2,432 $ 287,591 $ 117 $ 72,370
Commercial $ 65,256 $ 169,869 $ 191,617 $ 105,823 $ 157,658 $ 138,045
Institutional $ 45,872 $ 19,364 $ 14,739 $ 24,215 $ 27,894 $ 26,417
Agricultural $ 75,202 $ 40,810 $ 24,318 $ 43,714 $ 24,076 $ 41,624
Demolition $ 5,512 $ 4,891 $ 5,080 $ 6,262 $ 6,046 $ 5,558
Source: Municipality of Clarington Financial Data.
Note 1: Building Permit Revenue by Category is all the building permit numbers listed by year and not necessarily the year building permit revenue is received.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
C. PROJECTED PERMIT REVENUES
A forecast of building permit revenues in Clarington over the next five-year cycle period
(2023-2027) has been prepared for fee setting purposes. The forecast is based on growth
Charges Background Study (2020), as well as analysis and discussion with Clarington staff.
Overall, it is anticipated that revenues moving forward will be higher than the preceding
five-year period to reflect the number of new residential units in the planning application
process. Furthermore, it is anticipated that there will be a similar uptick in non-residential
activity to complement the expected residential growth. Capturing these anticipated
construction trends, the Municipality is assumed to generate approximately $3.36 million on
average per year from 2023 to 2027, which would represent a level of activity closer to those
trends observed pre-Covid.
Table 3 below provides an overview of the average annual revenue projections by key
revenue category, while Figure 2 illustrates the forecast average compared to the historical
revenue trends. Although the average level of permit fee revenues over the forthcoming
planning period is anticipated to be greater than historical average, a similar proportion of
revenues are anticipated to be residential permit related. This forecast represents an
average of approximately 780 new dwelling units per year.
TABLE 3: SUMMARY OF PROJECTED AVERAGE ANNUAL REVENUES (2023 2027)
Residential New Dwelling Units $2,464,000
Residential Other $183,000
Non-Residential and other $717,000
Total Average Annual Revenue $3,364,000
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
$4,000,000
$3,500,000
$3,000,000
$2,500,000
$2,000,000
$1,500,000
$1,000,000
$500,000
$-
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 Forecasted Average
Figure 2: Municipality of Clarington Building Permit Fee Revenue 2018-2022 and
2023-2027 Forecasted Annual Average ($2023)
Source: Municipality of Clarington Financial Data
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
4. ANALYSIS OF COSTS
This section summarizes the calculation of the cost of administering and enforcing the
provisions of the Building Code in Clarington.
To pay for the costs of providing Building Code services, municipalities are permitted to
charge fees for processing building permit applications. The Act requires that the permit
fees not exceed “the anticipated reasonable costs to administer and enforce the Act”. In
addition, municipalities are required to prepare annual reports that record the amount of
fees received and the costs incurred in administering the process.
The Code requires that annual reports record and distinguish the direct and indirect costs
of reviewing applications conducting building inspections. In this regard:
Direct costs include the costs of reviewing building permit applications and inspecting
buildings; and
Indirect costs include the support and overhead costs of administering and enforcing
the process.
The Building Code also sets out the requirements for a public process that must accompany
the setting of fees, including:
Holding at least one public meeting;
Providing 21 notice of the public meeting; and
Providing in the notice an estimate of the costs of providing Building Code services as
well as the amount and rationale for new fees.
Finally, if a reserve fund for Building Code activities has been established it must be
accounted for in annual reports. Annual reports must also include the balance of any
building permit reserve funds municipalities may have.
It is anticipated that the analysis of costs presented here will serve as a reference for future
annual reports.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
A. DIRECT COSTS
A number of Municipal staff are responsible for processing applications in respect to
building matters in Clarington. Despite most of the work resting with the Building Services
department, there is some support from Planning and Infrastructure Services, Fire
Prevention, and Legal Services. All time spent by Municipal staff reviewing building permit
applications, inspecting buildings, carrying out other tasks within the division fee by-law as
well as the cost of the resources they use is considered to be a direct cost. Time shares
have been determined based on information obtained from detailed staff interviews and
time tracking data.
Although a portion of staff time is directly involved with Building Code activities and related
Building Services activities associated with fees levied under the Municipal Act, a share of
time is indirect.
As shown on Table 4, calculations are divided by payroll and other capital and operating
costs. Payroll costs including benefits, which account for the large majority of direct costs,
amount to $2.7 million. Please note, the cost analysis includes the current staff levels and
complements within the division, including future projected positions, which have been pro-
rated based on their expected timing within the 5-year time horizon.
Space costs include shares of the operating costs of the administration building and fire
station, as well as shares of the capital replacement cost of these buildings. Operating cost
shares are determined by multiplying the share of current office space attributed to Building
Services. Capital replacement costs for the new administration centre are based on a 50
year lifecycle. The total direct cost of space that can be attributed to Building Code
activities is $141,200 ($137,000 for the administration centre and a further $4,300 related to
the Bomanville Fire Station).
Added to these costs is the cost associated with the replacement of workstation capital
(such as computers and other equipment), the cost of the building permit fee review
(allocated over five years), and the capital replacement of vehicles used for Building Code
services. The total direct capital cost of these items amounts to $62,000. Other operating
direct costs including office supplies, uniforms and clothing, fuel, memberships, and
professional development amount to approximately $276,900 across the various involved
divisions.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 4 - PAGE 1-3
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
DIRECT COSTS - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODE
PAYROLL (2023)
Support of
Building Code
Other
Support
Payroll
Share
Building Services
Chief Building Official 100.0% 0.0% $ 208,882
Deputy Chief Builidng Official 100.0% 0.0% $ 148,938
Senior Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 111,803
Senior Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 108,341
Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 106,797
Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 92,467
Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 97,126
Senior Plumbing/Heating Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 111,803
Plumbing/Heating Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 106,797
Plumbing/Heating Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 106,797
Permit Clerk 100.0% 0.0% $ 86,691
Permit Clerk 100.0% 0.0% $ 86,691
Permit Clerk 100.0% 0.0% $ 86,691
Senior Plans Examiner 100.0% 0.0% $ 111,803
Plans Examiner 100.0% 0.0% $ 106,797
Plans Examiner 100.0% 0.0% $ 106,797
Plans Examiner 100.0% 0.0% $ 97,126
Building Engineer 100.0% 0.0% $ 148,938
Subtotal Building Services Share
Provision for New Positions
100.0% 0.0% $ 2,031,284
Supervisor of Inspections 100.0% 0.0% $ 46,233
Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 46,233
Building Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 48,563
Plumbing/HVAC Inspector 100.0% 0.0% $ 53,398
Permit Coordinator 100.0% 0.0% $ 43,345
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
Support of
Building Code
Other
Support
Payroll
Share
Planning and Infrastructure Services
Planner I - Dev Review 28.0% 72.0% $ 25,823
Planner I - Dev Review 28.0% 72.0% $ 27,035
Planner l - Dev Review 28.0% 72.0% $ 24,599
Manager of Development Review 6.0% 94.0% $ 10,133
Principal Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 4,487
Principal Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,116
Principal Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,116
Senior Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,784
Senior Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,784
Senior Planner-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,784
Planner II-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,185
Planner II-Dev Review 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,354
Urban Designer/Senior Planner 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,601
Principal Planner-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,116
Principal Planner-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,116
Principal Planner-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 4,267
Senior Planner-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,492
Planner II-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,185
Planner II-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,125
Planner II-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 3,125
Planner I-Comm Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 1,982
Manager of Community Planning/Design 3.0% 97.0% $ 5,600
Director of Planning 10.0% 90.0% $ 23,767
Administrative Assistant 20.0% 80.0% $ 20,314
Manager Development Engineering 2.0% 98.0% $ 4,178
Engineering Coordinator 2.0% 98.0% $ 2,236
Development Review Technician 5.0% 95.0% $ 5,340
Development Review Technician
Remainder
5.0% 95.0% $ 4,856
Subtotal Planning and Development Share 4.5% 95.5% $ 211,499
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
Support of
Building Code
Other
Support
Payroll
Share
Fire Prevention and Administration
Chief Fire Prevention Officer 25.0% 75.0% $ 48,779
Fire Prevention Officer 25.0% 75.0% $ 42,036
Fire Prevention Inspectors 25.0% 75.0% $ 36,246
Fire Prevention Inspectors 25.0% 75.0% $ 36,246
Fire Prevention Inspectors 25.0% 75.0% $ 36,246
Deputy Fire Chief (Prevention) 2.2% 97.8% $ 4,595
Fire Chief 2.2% 97.8% $ 5,474
Administrative Assistant
Remainder
2.2% 97.8% $ 1,648
Subtotal Fire and Emergency Service Share 11.5% 88.5% $ 211,271
Legal Services
Solicitor 2.0% 98.0% $ 2,713
Law Clerk
Remainder
5.0% 95.0% $ 6,361
Subtotal Legal Service Share 3.5% 96.5% $ 9,074
Total Payroll - Building Code Activities $ 2,700,902
1. Based on salary shares of individual staff, which are not displayed in this report.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 4 - PAGE 4
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
DIRECT COSTS - ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODE
1. ADMINISTRATION CENTRE
Area Building
Share
Planning & Inf.
Share
Legal
Share
Area of Administration Centre (sq.m.)
Area of Administration Centre (%)
135
5.5%
1,021
41.9%
43
1.8%
Costs ($) Building Planning & Inf. Legal Total
Share Share Share Share
Annual Maintenance $ 28,468 $ 9,787 $ 313 $ 38,568
Capital Replacement (1) $ 72,641 $ 24,974 $ 799 $ 98,414
Total $ 101,109 $ 34,762 $ 1,112 $ 136,982
Note 1: Based on 50 year replacement schedule
2. BOWMANVILLE FIRE STATION
Area Fire
Prevention
Area of Bowmanville Fire Station (sq.m.)
Area of Bowmanville Fire Station (%)
104
10.2%
Costs ($) Fire
Prevention
Share
Office Supplies
$
117
Misc. Other Supplies $ 38
Heat $ 446
Hydro $ 1,407
Water/Sewer $ 211
Phone/Fax $ 215
R/M-Off Equip. $ 7
Building Capital Replacement $ 1,816
Total $4,257
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
1. OTHER CAPITAL COSTS
All
Departments
Share
Workstation Capital Replacement
Vehicle Replacement (9)
User Fee Review (based on 5 year renewal)
$ 18,288
$ 40,660
$ 3,000
Total $ 61,948
2. OTHER OPERATING COSTS (2023 Budget)
Planning &
Development
Share
Legal
Services
Share
Fire Prev.
& Admin
Share
Total
Share
4.5% 3.5% 11.5%
Office Supplies $ 136 $ 69 $ 69 $ 4,975
Phone and Fax $ 125 $ - $ - $ 3,125
Consulting $ - $ - $ 115 $ 4,115
Professional Fees $ 3,452 -
R/M Office Equipment $ - $ - $ - $ 500
Books and Periodicals $ 45 $ 86 $ 311 $ 8,443
Clothing and Uniforms $ 55 $ - $ 8,448 $ 18,253
Postage, Courier and Freight $ 18 $ - $ 231 $ 699
Printing $ - $ - $ - $ 185,500
Memberships and Association Dues $ 295 $ 259 $ 576 $ 12,880
Travel $ 477 $ 69 $ 231 $ 1,277
Public Education $ - $ - $ - $ 2,000
Misc. Expenses $ 109 $ 207 $ 922 $ 3,238
Small Equipment Purchases $ - $ - $ - $ 2,800
Furniture and Fixtures $ 227 $ - $ - $ 4,227
Promo/Other $ 91 $ - $ 2,766 $ 2,857
Other Capital (Non-TCA) $ - $ - $ 980 $ 980
Fuel/Gas/Vehicles $ - $ - $ - $ 4,200
Staff Development (1,2) $ 614 $ 69 $ 1,195 $ 16,878
Total $ 2,193 $ 4,211 $ 15,844 $ 276,946
Note 1: Incorporated from the Municpality's unclassified administration portion of the 2023 budget
Note 2: Staff Development for Fire Prevention and Admin is based on payroll share of EMS Services
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
The total direct cost of administering and enforcing the Building Code amounts to
approximately $3.18 million in 2023 dollars. A summary of the breakdown of this cost is
provided in Table 5 below.
TABLE 5: SUMMARY OF DIRECT COSTS
Payroll $2,700,900
Office Space $141,200
Other Operating and Capital Costs $338,900
Total Direct Costs $3,181,000
Note: Figures are rounded
B. INDIRECT (OVERHEAD) COSTS
The indirect cost of Building Code activities in Clarington represents the share of costs of
the departments that can be reasonably be attributed as overhead support of
Building Code services. The indirect costs were calculated based on what drives the cost of
Services related activities. The total indirect costs amount to $409,100 and are based on
Municipal budget documents.
The indirect costs are calculated in two steps. First, shares of corporate costs are
calculated for each department that provides support for Building Code services. These are
gross budget share. Second, using these calculated corporate cost shares, the amount
attributable to providing Building Code service support was estimated based on the time
shares identified in Table 4.
The corresponding cost share of corporate overhead for each department is therefore equal
to: the share of the total corporate overhead attributable to each department, multiplied by
the share of that departments time share committed to Building Code and related activities.
Table 6 summarizes the calculation of corporate overhead support costs. The estimated
cost shares are applied to each 2023 project net costs which excludes any
costs for service areas which are clearly not attributable to its support of Building Code
activities (e.g. election costs within the legislative services branch). The total corporate
overhead support costs amount to $409,100.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 6
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
CALCULATION OF INDIRECT (OVERHEAD) COSTS
Net
Costs
(2023)
Attributable
Net Costs
(2023)
Building
Share Cost
100.0%
Planning & Infr.
Share Cost
4.5%
Fire Prev. and Admin
Share Cost
11.5%
Legal
Share Cost
3.5%
Total
Indirect
Cost
Corporate Overhead
$11,490,277
$11,490,277
$ 318,975 $318,975
$ 962,523 $43,755
$ 388,568 $44,783
$ 45,560 $1,573
$409,086
Analysis of Costs | 20
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
C. RESERVE FUND CONTRIBUTION
The Act allows for the factoring of anticipated costs when determining the full cost of
providing Building Code services.
As previously mentioned, the Act does not require municipalities to adjust their fees every
year in order to match their costs. As the majority of Building Code costs are payroll costs, it
would be impractical to even attempt to match revenues and costs on an annual basis.
Although building activity is expected to be relatively strong over the next five years, there
may be fluctuations in both the number of permit applications and the amount of permit
revenue from any one year to the next. This could result in an imbalance between costs and
revenues. In years of high activity revenues will likely exceed costs. However, in quieter
years, costs may well exceed revenues.
The Municipality has in place a reserve fund for Building Code activities to manage permit
revenue variation. The balance of the reserve fund was approximately $2,462,300 at the end
of 2022. Given that the Municipality wishes to continue to manage fluctuations in permit
revenue using a reserve fund, an annual contribution of $77,500 to the reserve fund has
been incorporated into the permit fees. The target for the reserve fund has been set to
the Municipality continue to review its reserve and reserve fund balances and polices at the
next review.
D. COST SUMMARY
A summary of the analysis of costs is displayed in Table 7 below. It shows that the total
cost of administering and enforcing the Building Code in the Municipality is $3,667,600 of
which 86.7% are direct costs, 11.2% are indirect costs and 2.1% is made up of the reserve
fund provision.
TABLE 7: SUMMARY OF ALL COSTS
Total Direct Costs $3,181,000 86.7%
Total Indirect Costs $409,100 11.2%
Reserve Fund Provision $77,500 2.1%
Total Costs 3,667,600 100%
Note: Figures are rounded
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
5. CALCULATED FEES
This section presents new full cost recovery building permit fees in light of the cost analysis
presented in section 4. The full cost recovery analysis demonstrates that the Municipality is
currently subsidizing the building permit review process through the tax rate. Given the
legislation, Council has the authority to increase the current fees in order to recover the full
cost of the process. Based on the estimated costs compared to the anticipated average fee
revenue over the next five years, a fee increase of 8.99% is justified.
A. FULL COST RECOVERY FEES
The analysis shows that the projected annual cost of administering and enforcing the
Building Code, and related Municipal Act fees under the authority of Building Services, in
Clarington over the five year period from 2023 to 2027 amounts to $3.67 million. Under the
existing fees, the average annual permit revenue during the same time period is anticipated
to be $3.37 million. Therefore, a shortfall of approximately $0.30 million has been identified.
As a result, an increase in the 2023 fees of 8.99% is the implied maximum justifiable amount
under the Act that the permit fees can be increased. The calculation is shown below:
Average Annual Costs (2023-2027) $3,667,645
Average Anticipated Annual Revenues (2023-2027)* $3,365,023
Difference 8.99%
*based on current rates
related categories, although some additional changes and new fees are proposed by the
Municipality and included in the fee by-law. These one-off adjustments are nominal and
considered in the revenues analysis conducted. A summary of the new fees which are
proposed to be introduced in the updated by-law include:
AGCO Agency Letter of Approval - $225 per letter
Review of application for Environmental Compliance Approval for sewage works and
completion of the "Statement of the Municipality"- $350 flat fee
Letter to the Ministry of Education confirming conformance with the Ontario
Building Code for Daycare Licenses - $225 per letter
Table 8 provides an overview of the updated fees schedule accounting for the adjustments
discussed. Lastly, it is also recommended that the BCA fees continue to be increased by a
rate of 3% per year to account for effects of inflation moving forward.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
Item Classes of Permits
Current Fees Full Cost Recovery Fees
Fee Rate Basis of Fee Fee Rate Basis of Fee
Classes of Permits and Fees Payable
1 Building Permit $ 117.02 see Schedule B - Part B see Schedule B - Part B
2 Demolition Permit
Other Residential Structures
$119.41
$ 0.30
flat fee for SDU & res accessory buildings
per sq.m.
$ 130.14
$ 0.33
flat fee for SDU & res accessory buildings
3 Conditional Building Permit
Minimum
Maximum
$ 235.42 $ 1,177.10
110% of fee for proposed construction plus:
additional fee additional fee $ 353.05 -
120% of fee for proposed construction plus:
additional fee additional fee
4 Permit for Stage of Construction (Partial Permit) $ 353.03 additional fee for each phase; plus construction fee - additional fee for each phase equal to 10% of building permit fee (min of $353.03)
5 Change of Use Permit $ 117.67 for each 100 sq.m.of floor area or part thereof $ 128.26 for each 100 sq.m.of floor area or part thereof
6 Occupancy Permit for Unfinished Building $ 237.62 flat fee $ 258.99 flat fee
Other
1 Alternative Solution Examination Fee $ 157.42 per hour; minimum one hour; plus applicable building
permit fee
$ 171.58 per hour; minimum one hour; plus applicable building
permit fee
2 Resubmission of application found to be incomplete 25% of application fee 25% of application fee
3 Revision to permit $ 157.42 per hour; minimum 1 hour for house, 4 hours for other buildings) $ 171.58 per hour; minimum 1 hour for house, 4 hours for other buildings)
4 Transfer to permit $ 177.91 flat fee $ 193.91 flat fee
5 Re-examination - Change in house model $ 711.13 plus fee prescribed in part B for any extra area $ 775.08 plus fee prescribed in part B for any extra area
6 Re-examination - other than 5 10% of applicable permit fee to a max of $1674.32 25% of applicable permit fee, min. of $1674.32
7 Additional Inspection $ 177.91 flat fee $ 193.91 flat fee
8 Overtime Fee $ 177.65 per hour; minimum 3 hours $ 193.63 per hour; minimum 3 hours
9 Permit Surcharge - fee is the greater of:
(i) surcharge of 25% of permit fee when construction has
begun & building permit app has been received
(ii) surcharge of 50% of permit fee when construction has
begun & no building pemit app has been received
- fee is the greater of:
(i) surcharge of 25% of permit fee when construction
has begun & building permit app has been received
(ii) surcharge of 50% of permit fee when construction
has begun & no building pemit app has been received
10 Dormant Building Permit File Reactivation Fee $ 238.81 flat fee $ 260.29 flat fee
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
Item Classes of Permits
Current Fees
Fee
Rate
Basis
of Fee
Fees Payable for Building Permits
1 Group A: Assembly Occupancies
All Recreational Facilities, Schools, Libraries, Places of Worships, $ 28.08 per sq.m.
Restaurants (Finished), Theatres, Arenas/Gymnasiums/Pools
Restaurant (Shell) $ 22.75 per sq.m.
Open Public Swimming Pools $ 7.59 per sq.m.
Transit Stations, Subways, Bus Terminals $ 21.08 per sq.m.
All Other Group A Buildings $ 28.08 per sq.m.
2 Group B: Institutional Occupancies
Institutional, Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and other Group B
Buildings
$ 30.65
per sq.m.
3 Group C: Residential Occupancies
Single Family Dwellings, Semis, Townhouses, Duplexes,
Live/Work Units
All other multiple unit buildings and other residential occupancies
Motels above two stories and Hotels
$ 15.33
$ 16.35
$ 23.38
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
4 Group D: Business and Personal Service Occupancies
Office Buildings (Shell), all other Group D Buildings (Shell)
Office Buildings (Finished), Banks, Medical Clinics, Fire Halls,
and all other Group D Buildings (Finished)
$ 18.64
$ 23.25
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
5 Group E: Mercantile Occupancies
Mercantile Occupancies, Retail Stores (Shell)
Retail Stores (Finished), Department Stores, Supermarkets
All Other Group E Buildings (Finished)
$ 15.06
$ 19.92
$ 19.92
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
6 Group F: Industrial Occupancies
Industrial Buildings (Shell)
Industrial Buildings (Partitioned Area)
Gas stations, Car Washes
Parking Garages (U/G, Open Air)
Open Mezzanine Construction
$ 11.76
$ 16.35
$ 14.81
$ 7.15
$ 7.12
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
7 Interior Alterations (Partitions, Finishings, etc.)
Group A, B, and D
Group C, E, and F
Apartment In-House
$ 5.35
$ 4.74
$ 5.78
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
8 Designated Structures
Communication Tower or Transmission Towers on Building
Crane Runway
Exterior Tank and Support
Pedestrian Bridge
Retaining Wall
Satellite Dish
Solar Collector for SDU
Solar Collector for all other occupancies
Wind turbine
$ 569.56
$ 569.56
$ 237.62
$ 237.62
$ 11.77
$ 143.29
$ 143.29
$ 142.99 $ -
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
per l.m.
flat fee
flat fee
per 10 panels (max $8372) See item 11 Schedule B - Part B
Full Cost Recovery Fees
Fee Basis
Rate of Fee
$
30.61
per sq.m.
$ 24.79 per sq.m.
$ 8.28 per sq.m.
$ 22.97 per sq.m.
$ 30.61 per sq.m.
$
33.41
per sq.m.
$
16.71
per sq.m.
$ 17.82 per sq.m.
$ 25.48 per sq.m.
$ 20.32 per sq.m.
$ 25.34 per sq.m.
$ 16.41 per sq.m.
$ 21.71 per sq.m.
$ 21.71 per sq.m.
$ 12.82 per sq.m.
$ 17.82 per sq.m.
$ 16.14 per sq.m.
$ 7.80 per sq.m.
$ 7.76 per sq.m.
$ 5.83 per sq.m.
$ 5.17 per sq.m.
$ 6.30 per sq.m.
$ 620.78 flat fee
$ 620.78 flat fee
$ 258.99 flat fee
$ 258.99 flat fee
$ 12.83 per l.m.
$ 156.17 flat fee
$ 156.17 flat fee
$ 155.85 per 10 panels (max $9996)
$ - See item 11 Schedule B - Part B
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 8 - PAGE 3
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
FULL COST RECOVERY BUILDING PERMIT FEES
Item
9
10
11
Classes of Permits
Current Fees Full Cost Recovery Fees
Fee Rate Basis of Fee Fee Rate Basis of Fee
Stand Alone & Miscellaneous Work
a) Permanent Tent, Air Supported Structures
b) Balcony Guards (Replacements)
c) Unfinished Basement (to accommodate a building moved from
elsewhere)
d) Repair or Re-Cladding of wall (per wall area)
e) Canopy without enclosure
f) Ceilings (Added or Replacement)
g) Demising walls (no other construction)
h) Electromagnetic Locks
i) Emergency Lighting
j) Farm Buildings
k) Fire Alarms/ Fire Code Retrofit
l) Fire Door Retrofit
m) Fireplaces, Woodstoves
n) Sprinkler Systems - new or alternations
o) Repair to Parking Garage
p) Portable Classroms
i) portopack
q) Residential Decks, Porches, Balconies
r) Residential Detach or Attached Garages or Accessory Structure
s) Temporary Structures
i) Tent
ii) Trailers and Temporary Buildings
iii) Sales Pavillions (Construction on Site)
t) Underpinning
u) Shoring
u) Window or door replacements (excluding house)
v) Sign (3.15 of OBC only)
Stand Alone Mechanical Work (HVAC & Plumbing)
1) Permit for Heating, Ventilating, and A/C (HVAC)
a) SDD Type Residential Buildings (HVAC)
i) Single Detached Dwelling, Semi-Detached, Duplexes, &
Townhouses (with or without A/C)
b) All Other Group C - Residential Buildings (HVAC)
i) Apartments, Hotels, etc.
c) Groups E & F - Retail/Industrial (HVAC)
i) Small (up to 2500 sq. ft.)
ii) All others (>2500 sq. ft.)
d) Group A, B, and D (HVAC)
i) Assembly, Institutions, Restaurants, and Office Buildings
e) Minor Alterations - All Buildings
i) Ductwork only or A/C unit addition
ii) Add on systems, Space Heater, Make-Up Air Unit,
Exhaust Fan
f) Special Ventilation Systems
i) Commercial Kitchen Exhaust, Spray Booth, Dust Collector,
etc.
g) Furnace Replacement
i) SDD Type Residential, Buildings
h) Geothermal system or earth energy system
2) Permit for Plumbing and Drains
a) Single Family Dwellings
b) Groups A, C, E, and F
c) Groups B and D
d) Backflow Preventor
e) Manhole, Catch Basin, Interceptor, Sump, etc.
3) Piping
a) Single Family Detached or Attached Dwellings
i) Water Services, Sanitary, and Storm Buried Piping
ii) Repairs, Replacement, and Additions of buried plumbing
and drainage piping, pooling drains
b) All Other Buildings
i) Inside Sanitary and Storm Piping
i) Outside Water Services, Sanitary and Storm Piping
Alterations, buildings and structures not provided for in Items
1 to 10
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$12.27
3.74
7.12
0.45
5.93
0.76
5.61
85.73
82.38
3.82
237.62
47.08
118.21
0.70
3.06
474.04
19.92
143.29
5.09
142.90
237.62
13.03
11.25
11.25
5.70
237.62
284.18
1.03
284.18
1.28
1.78
167.17
237.62
284.18
167.17
124.00
20.18
25.22
25.22
47.08
33.62
143.29
143.29
2.32
3.88
20.18
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per lock (max $713)
per storey
per sq.m. (max $8373)
flat fee
per door
each
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
up to 2 tents
flat fee
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per l.m.
per window
flat fee
flat fee
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
per fixture
per fixture
per fixture
each
each
flat fee
flat fee
per l.m.
per l.m.
for each $1,000 of construction value or part
thereof
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
13.38
4.07
7.76
0.49
6.47
0.83
6.12
93.44
89.79
4.16
258.99
51.32
128.84
0.77
3.33
516.67
21.71
156.17
5.54
-
155.76
258.99
14.20
12.26
12.26
6.21
258.99
309.74
1.12
309.74
1.39
1.94
182.20
258.99
309.74
182.20
135.15
21.99
27.49
27.49
51.32
36.65
156.17
156.17
2.52
4.23
-
21.99
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per lock (max $851)
per storey
per sq.m. (max $9998)
flat fee
per door
each
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
up to 2 tents
flat fee
per sq.m.
per l.m.
per l.m.
per window
flat fee
flat fee
per sq.m.
flat fee
per sq.m.
per sq.m.
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
flat fee
per fixture
per fixture
per fixture
each
each
flat fee
flat fee
per l.m.
per l.m.
for each $1,000 of construction value or part
thereof
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
B. PERMIT FEE COMPARISONS
In order to provide an understanding of the current and full cost recovery fee rates in
Clarington in relation to similar and surrounding municipalities, a building permit fee
comparison was prepared. The results of this comparison are presented in Table 9. The
rates for the other municipalities are those that are currently in force.
Table 9 shows that the current building permit fees in Clarington are generally on the higher
end compared to its municipal comparators. The full cost fee rates for residential,
-
end of this range. Note that this comparison does not take into account any service level
differences that may exist in terms of, for example, the time taken to process a permit.
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24
TABLE 9
MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
2023 BUILDING PERMIT FEE UPDATE
MUNCIPAL COMPARISONS - BUILDING PERMIT FEES
Municipality
Current Fee Rate ($ per square foot)
Single Dwelling One Storey Plaza
Shell
Multi Storey Office
Shell
Industrial Warehouse
- Shell
York Region
Vaughan $ 1.86 $ 1.29 $ 1.50 $ 0.83
Markham $ 1.83 $ 1.31 $ 1.56 $ 1.01
Georgina $ 1.80 $ 1.28 $ 1.28 $ 1.21
Aurora $ 1.70 $ 1.28 $ 1.28 $ 0.86
Whitchurch-Stoufville $ 1.69 $ 1.35 $ 1.35 $ 1.23
King $ 1.68 $ 1.12 $ 1.12 $ 0.84
Richmond Hill $ 1.64 $ 1.38 $ 1.48 $ 0.95
East Gwillimbury $ 1.45 $ 0.85 $ 0.85 $ 0.70
Newmarket $ 1.48 $ 0.97 $ 1.05 $ 0.79
Durham Region
Whitby $ 1.90 $ 2.36 $ 2.16 $ 1.48
Pickering $ 1.43 $ 1.43 $ 1.77 $ 1.07
Oshawa $ 1.41 $ 1.29 $ 1.42 $ 1.36
Ajax $ 1.26 $ 0.93 $ 0.93 $ 0.65
Scugog $ 1.40 $ 1.40 $ 1.40 $ 0.85
Uxbridge $ 1.09 $ 0.98 $ 0.98 $ 0.67
Brock $ 1.05 $ 0.98 $ 0.98 $ 0.75
Simcoe County
Innisfil $ 1.88 $ 1.29 $ 1.29 $ 0.86
Barrie $ 1.52 $ 1.63 $ 1.40 $ 1.12
Bradford West Gwillimbury $ 1.66 $ 1.22 $ 1.27 $ 1.06
Orillia $ 1.53 $ 1.27 $ 1.23 $ 0.59
Springwater $ 1.33 $ 1.30 $ 1.30 $ 0.61
Municipal Average
$ 1.55
$ 1.28
$ 1.31
$ 0.93
Clarington - Current Rates $ 1.43 $ 1.40 $ 1.74 $ 1.10
Clarington - Calculated 2023 $ 1.56 $ 1.53 $ 1.89 $ 1.19
Note 1: Rate comparison as of August 1, 2023.
Note 2: King Township rate reflects $/sq.ft of building a 2,500 sq.ft house
Note 3: Mid-point of range of fees illustrated for industrial permits where applicable
Attachment 1 to Report FSD-006-24