The Harrison Township Committee adopted an ordinance at its March 3 meeting that will increase subcode fees for construction permits within the township.
What that means is an increase in costs leveled on any construction done to a property, such as expansions or renovations. The fees will vary based on the specific project.
“The mayor and committee …” the ordinance reads, “have determined that amendments to Chapter 97 entitled Construction Codes, Uniform at Article I entitled ‘enforcement and fees’ are necessary.”
The new pricing – along with the older fees – was included in a copy of the ordinance handed out at the meeting. For new construction, the fee increased from $0.37 to $0.38 per cubic foot of building or structure volume, provided the minimum fee is $200.
Plumbing subcode fees also went up from a minimum fee of $60 to $90 for each plumbing application. Individual devices, such as a bidet or shower, went up from $12 to $15. The electrical subcode inspection fee saw at $15 increase, from $75 to $90.
The new numbers, according to Township Administrator Dennis Chambers, are based on what other nearby towns are doing. A public hearing on the ordinance saw one resident express concern about the price increase for any projects. He said he was “shocked” at the increases, focusing specifically on the plumbing subcode.
“It just seems like we’re jumping from 60 to 90 – which would be a 50% jump up in the basic fee – and then $15 for the new toilet,” he remarked. “It is a $105 total instead of $72 if I want to do it today.”
The new ordinance affects new and existing township homes, according to Chambers. The committee voted unanimously to adopt the ordinance, with the only exceptions being Deputy Mayor Lawrence Moore and Committeeman Kevin French, who were both absent from the meeting.
The next committee meeting is scheduled for Monday at 7 p.m.
