Building Permit Fees May Increase in Needham

If you are looking to build in Needham, the permit fees may become a bit more expensive.

In a Dec. 8 Board of Selectmen meeting, Needham Building Commissioner David Roche recommended that the new fees would be consistent with project worth, reports Wicked Local Needham. Roche’s plan suggests that $10 be charged for every $1,000 spent on a project and any work totaling over $10,000 would bring a $100 fee. Needham selectman John Bulian told Patch.com that he was comfortable with Roche’s plan which was outlined in the meeting.

“This is a part of a review that has taken place,” Bulian said.”These fees bring us into a lower range comparable to the surrounding areas. We’re certainly not the highest.”

Reports Wicked Local’s Emma R. Murphy:

During the meeting, Roche explained the study showed that Needham has one of the lowest permit fees in the area. The new fee would be closer in line with what other towns charge, but would still be on the low end of the spectrum. Wellesley charges $10 per $10,000 worth of work with a minimum permit of $100 for residential work, and $15 per $1,000 with a minimum fee of $300 for commercial/non-profit work. Newton charges $20 per $1,000 or a fraction thereof for residential and commercial work. In addition, Roche said the department looked at the current average permit cost and determined that the proposed fee would be comparable but slightly higher than the current fee system.

The issue will be brought up again in tonight’s Board of Selectmen meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Patch.com attempted to contact additional selectmen and Roche but they were not immediately available for comment. Check back with Needham Patch for updates on the results of tonight’s meeting and comments from city officials.

Photo by John Phelan