Building fee to rise like a condo

By JANET ZINK, Times Staff Writer
Published October 17, 2007

TAMPA- The cost of building in the city is about to go up.

The Tampa City Council on Thursday will consider a 75 percent increase in permit fees for commercial construction and a 10 percent increase for residential projects.

The change means the fees for permits to build a three-bedroom, two-bathroom, 2,800-square-foot home would grow from $1,096.60 to $1,206.25.

Fees to build a 5,000-square-foot convenience store with a carwash would swell from $1,711.90 to $2,995.83.

Council members interviewed Tuesday said they support the increase.

"Growth should pay for itself, and that's a good place to start," said John Dingfelder.

"It's at least an attempt to keep the rest of the taxpayers from paying for something they're getting no benefit from," said Charlie Miranda.

Linda Saul-Sena said the increases will put the city's fees more in line with what is charged in other Florida cities and counties.

Tampa now has relatively low fees to build commercial projects when compared to other places, including Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties and St. Petersburg.

"We've been underpriced," Saul-Sena said.

But not everyone from the development arena is keen on the price increases.

Land use consultant Steve Michelini said the boost comes at "the worst possible economic time for the building and development community. It seems odd that you would want to raise the rates at a time when most builders are just struggling to get by."

Janet Zink, Times staff writer

Fast facts

How Tampa stacks up

Comparison of permit fees to build a 20-story condo tower

Sarasota: $135,422

Tampa: $39,263 (new fee)

St. Petersburg: $28,931

[Last modified October 16, 2007, 23:26:46]