North Salem approves Building Department fee increases

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - Building Department fees in North Salem will be going up this year.

The Town Board voted unanimously at its reorganization meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 6, to increase fees for things such as building, demolition, operating, and special event permits as well as for certificates of occupancy and inspections of sewer and plumbing work.

Penalties for things such as “stop work” order violations will remain the same, except for the one attached to working without a permit, which will rise from a maximum of $1,500 to a maximum $2,500.

Some of the increases on the new schedule are relatively minor.

For instance, the fee for a permanent CO is going from the current $3 per $1,000 of cost ($50 minimum) to $4 per $1,000 of cost (same minimum); tent permits are rising to $75 per tent as opposed to $50 per tent; and fire safety inspections, now $100, will be $150.

Others will be doubling.

Building permits for roofs and signs are now $100 as opposed to $50 and permit extensions for the first year will be $500 instead of the current $200 and for the second year, $1,000 instead of $500. Electrical permits will rise from $50 to $100.

Zoning Board applications will cost $400 instead of $200 and special permit applications, $700 instead of $200.

Before the board voted to approve the new fees – which were discussed at the request of the town’s building inspector, James Duhigg, last year – Supervisor Warren Lucas noted that they had remained the same for “some time.”

(That “some time” is about 14 years, according to the Building Department.)

Also, it said, the new fees will now be more in line with what other municipalities are charging.

According to town officials, the changes weren’t made arbitrarily, or as a way to increase its coffers, but are intended to help defray some of the building department’s costs for personnel, equipment, and other necessities.

The updated fee schedule is expected to be posted on the town’s website, www.northsalemny.org, shortly.