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Columbia, Mo. - Effective Oct. 1, Building and Site Development will adopt a new permit fee multiplier of $2.25 per $1,000 of valuation. This change marks the first increase in building permit fees since 1996.

The multiplier will apply equally to commercial and residential building permits and is intended to make the building permit fee calculation simpler and easier to understand. The permit fee multiplier is based on a cost recovery goal of 75 percent established by the City Council and will be reviewed on an annual basis.

Valuations will be calculated by city staff based on the square foot construction cost established by the International Code Council (ICC). The square foot construction cost is based on the occupancy and construction type and will be updated on an annual basis as part of the budget process. Staff can provide a copy of the ICC table upon request.

Complete residential building permit applications, including plot plan, received prior to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, will be charged at the current building permit rates.

Complete commercial building permit applications, including construction plans, must pass the city's initial screening process and therefore must be submitted by 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27. Commercial building plans not passing the initial screening process or submitted after this time will be charged at the new rate. Staff can provide a copy of the initial screening process checklist upon request.

If you have questions about this process, contact Shane Creech, Building and Site Development manager, or Phil Teeple, building regulations supervisor, at (573) 874-7474.