1456 MADRONA AVE 2016-01-01 MF Import

McKee From: Paul NlcKee Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2012 2:29 PM Tq: 'seahaggsales@aol.com' Cc: Debra Bryant; Deb Williams; Tony Lee; Allan Giffen Subject: RE: COE Autogeneratad:Calculations used for building permits A�ne, Thank you for your email requesting clarificalion of the project valuation and permit fees related to adding a garage door to your existing carport. Please accept my apology for any �elated miscommunicalion that may have occurred. I hope lhat the following information will help t� explain how fhe permit fees for your prcject were Calr.ulaied. The City of Everett uses a permit fee schedule based on ihe p�ojected construction cost of the proposed improvernents. Two different methods may be used 10 determine the cost valuation depending on the scope and nature oF Ihe proposed conslruction: 1) a"per-square-foot" factor based on a schedule of construclion cosis lhat takes into account the use or occupancy of the building and the fype of construction involved, or 2) a"bid cosf" factor based on fhe total accepted bid price for doing the work. In Go1h instances, the valuation is determined by including the tolal value uf the conslruction process, including both materials and labor. It is importani that realistic cnd consisteni valuaiions are determined so fhat permit fees are applied fairly and eyuitably to each project. The "per-square-`ooY' factor is Ihe default mefhod and is used when the proposed projeci fits squarely within a construction category/type lhat is listed in the schedule o'r conslructicn costs - as do both garages and carporls. The "bid cost" factor, is a backup method and is used for miscellaneous conslruction projects that do not squarely fit wilhin 1he scheduie. In 2010, a building permit was issued for the substantial reconstruclion/replacement of your carport wilh the addition of a roofton deck and associated railings and stairways. Carports are differenliated i� the building code from garages as being eniirely open on af least t�vo sides (excepi for supporis) and are listed on the schedule of conslruction cosls at a value of $25 per-square-foot. Thus, for the purpose of permit fee calculations, ihe 12-foot by 22-foot carporl portior� of the siructure was assigned a value of 264 SqFt X$25/SqFt =$6600. In ihe presenl case, a new building permit has been issued fo� the addition of o garage door to ihe existing carport and fhe asseciated ccnsiruction necessary to complete 1he projeci. Becouse the carport will no longer be entirely open on at least 1wo sides, the building code classification of ihe slructure changes from that of "carport" to "garage". Garages are listed on the schedule of construction costs at a value ot $37 per-square-foot. However, in recognition of ihe fact that permil fees were paid in 2010 based on the value of the carport, only ihe $12 per-square- foof incremental difference in value between a carport and a garage (264 SqFt X$12/SqFt =$3163) was used io calculate the currenf permit fee. This demonstrates 1ha1 pa:; permits do couni and, when it makes sense io do so, are takan !nto consideration when ietermining ihe value of additional work on an existing s!ructure. Because fhis work fits squarely into 1he established calegories of the schedule of consiruction costs, the secondary "bid cosY' factor was not used in this instance. With regard to the given example of ihe replacement of 1he front door to a residence...if it is simply being replaced in-like-kind, it would not c�enera�iy reGuire a building permit. EveretYs fee schedul= for permits issued under the building code was adopted by resolution of ihe Ciiy Council in 2004 and has remained unchanged ihrough ihe present. We strive to apply ihose fees fn a consistent, equitable manner. Thank you again for the opportunity to provide this informalion. I hope it is helpful io you. Please don'i hesitate to contaci me if I can provide furlher information or clarificaiion in fhis matter. Sincerely, Paul McKee