Building Permit Fees Going Up In Marin County

MARIN COUNTY, CA — For the first time in nearly a decade, fees for building and safety permits are going up in Marin County.

The Marin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved increasing permit fees by an average of 44 percent. The new fees will take effect July 1, 2020.

The fees charged by the Marin County Community Development Agency apply to the unincorporated area of the county. The fee increase reflects the rising cost of providing building permit services, according to county officials.

The list of service enhancements for permit customers under the new fees will include same-day permitting for all but the most complex building permit applications, maintaining Friday counter service for plan reviews and inspections, inspection scheduling via texting and online digital plan submittal and review.

Supervisors also approved a 1 percent hike in the additional fee charged to each building permit to support permitting technology such as online permitting and digital plan review software.

Additionally, supervisors agreed to offer a 100 percent fee reduction on the required building permit application for constituents who make their homes and businesses more accessible to residents with special needs.

Permit fees will continue to be waived for affordable housing projects and reduced for community-based projects and accessory dwelling units.