Notice of Building Permit Fees Review

The Planning and Development Committee of the City of Brockville will be holding a Public Meeting to consider the passing of a bylaw to adopt new and amended building fees and charges under Section 7(6) of the Ontario Building Code Act, as amended.

Date of Public Meeting: Tuesday April 1, 2025

Time of Meeting: 6:00pm

Location: Council Chambers, City Hall, 1 King Street West, Brockville ON

The Ontario Building Code Act, S.O. 1992, Section 7, authorizes a municipal council to pass bylaws respecting the issuance of permits and related matters. The Act requires that a public meeting be held as part of any Building Permit Fee adjustment process.

The public meeting will include a presentation by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. who have been retained by the City of Brockville to prepare the Building Permit Fees Review. Their presentation will cover the proposed amendments to the building permit fees, a review of the current permit fees and the costs associated with providing service to enforce the Ontario Building Code Act with regards to issuance of building permits through Section 7 of the Ontario Building Code Act, as amended. The effect will be to increase the existing fee structure.

Upon conclusion of the presentation, any person registered to delegate on the item will have the opportunity to make representations with respect to the matter.

This public consultation period will commence March 10, 2025, with the posting of the Building Permit Fee Review here on the City of Brockville website.

Summary of the key changes:

The key changes to the recommended fees are summarized as follows:

• Separate plumbing fees for new construction have been removed and consolidated within one permit fee for the construction of new buildings.
• A single consolidated inspection fee will now be charged for sewer (sanitary and storm) and water connections and replacements. This servicing fee is now also included in the new building construction permit fee.
• Separate fees by non-residential code group (A, B, D, E, and F) for new non-residential construction and separate fees for finished and shell permits.
• Per fixture costs have been removed from plumbing alteration permit fees where now only a flat fee will be charged.
• Low and medium density new construction fees have been increased by 13% and high-density new construction fees have been increased by 10% (after accounting for the removal of the additional plumbing fees).
• For Group, A, B, D, E, and F projects, fees are imposed separately for shell permits vs. finished construction and additions.
  • For Group A (Assembly) and B (Institutional) projects, fees would increase by 171% ($1.42 per square foot) for shell permits and by 249% ($2.07 per square foot) for finished construction and additions.
  • For Group D (Business and personal services) projects, fees would increase by 69% ($0.57 per square foot) for shell permits and by 141% ($1.17 per square foot) for finished construction and additions.
  • For Group E (Mercantile) projects, fees would increase by 33% ($0.27 per square foot) for shell permits and by 105% ($0.87 per square foot) for finished construction and additions. The City would remain in the mid-range compared to other municipalities, as shown in Figure 3-5.
  • For Group F (Industrial) projects, fees for projects less than 50,000 square foot would decrease by 16% ($0.13 per square foot) for shell permits and increase by 63% ($0.52 per square foot) for finished construction and additions and fees for projects greater than 50,000 square foot would decrease by 36% ($0.20 per square foot) for shell permits and increase by 23% ($0.13 per square foot) for finished construction and additions. The City would remain in the mid-range compared to other municipalities, as shown in Figure 3-6.
• Minor miscellaneous fees have been increased by 10% to increase contributions to full cost recovery levels.
• The following new fees are recommended:
  • Minimum Fee: $200
  • Revision fees: $155 plus $0.12 per square foot of revised floor area
  • Alternative Solutions: $110 per hour (3 hour minimum)
  • Fire protection and life safety plans: $300
  • Archived permit record search: $140
  • Limiting Distance Agreement: $315 plus third-party costs (+25%)
  • Discharge of Order: $700
  • Tiny Houses constructed off-site: $850
  • Designated Structures: $450
  • AGCO Agency Letter fee (includes 1 inspection): $360
  • Solar Panels: $320 residential and $640 non-residential
  • Temporary Structures: $240
  • Expedited Review fee: Surcharge of $55 per hour of plans review
  • Last minute inspection: $70 (50% of per inspection cost)
  • Occupancy permit after move-in: $165 (50% surcharge)
  • 3rd Party Evaluation fee: Cost plus 25%

Read the full report here: City of Brockville Building Permit Fee Review

Any person may attend this public meeting and make written or oral representations in support of, or opposition to, the proposed Building Permit Fees and Charges. Written submissions from persons not attending the meeting should be received by the Building and Bylaw Services Division, City Hall, One King Street West, P.O. Box 5000, Brockville, Ontario K6V 7A5, by April 2, 2025, or by email at building@brockville.com.

Please note: Personal information is collected pursuant to Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection Privacy Act. Comments and opinion submitted on these matters become part of the public record and may be viewed by the general public; and may be published in a Report and Council Agenda. Questions about this collection should be directed to the City Clerk, City of Brockville located at 1 King Street West, Brockville, Ontario K6V 7A5 Telephone 613-342-8772, extension 4432.

For more information about this matter, you may contact Sebastian Scott, Chief Building Official at building@brockville.com or 613-342-8772 extension 4447.