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Tampa's Building Permit Fees To Increase

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: October 17, 2008

TAMPA - Starting next year, the cost of building in the city is going to get more expensive.

On Thursday, the city council approved a new fee structure that, beginning Jan. 1, will increase the cost of building permits for residential and commercial construction.

The vote was 5 to 1. Councilman Joseph Caetano voted no, saying he couldn't support the increases in the current economy.

This is the second permit increase in the past two years. In 2007, the council raised residential permit fees by 10 percent and commercial permit fees by 75 percent.

City officials say the increases are aimed at making the construction services division more self-sufficient.

"These changes are about ensuring that development is paying for itself," said Cynthia Miller, director of the growth management and development services department.

About 65 percent of the department's $12 million budget is funded by property taxes.

Miller said the fee increases have the support of trade groups, including the Tampa Bay Builder's Association.

City officials expect to increase building permit rates again in 2010.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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