NCFPD board approves increase in plan fees

The North County Fire Protection District (NCFPD) board approved an increase in plan check and inspection fees during its August 28 board meeting.

The fees for various activities were increased by approximately two to three percent. “It’s a relatively small increase,” said NCFPD Fire Chief Bill Metcalf. “It’s not as though we’re making a profit. It’s simply capturing the actual cost of delivering the service.”

The fees vary by type of construction but are intended to recover staff time, vehicle depreciation and fuel costs, and other expenses. “The increases that were approved were driven by salary increases,” Metcalf said.

The fees are for activities requiring a permit or inspection by the fire department and include new construction and major remodels. The fees are separate from the fire mitigation fee, which is collected from new construction to pay for the capital costs of facilities to serve the new development.