HomeMy WebLinkAbout06/17/1997, 1B - EXCESSIVE VISIT FIRE INSPECTION FEE PROGRAM FOR THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS council "'dW4°b 6/17/97
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CITY O F SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Robert F. Neumann, Fire Chief IQ
Prepared By: Page Dougherty, Fire Marshal
SUBJECT: EXCESSIVE VISIT FIRE INSPECTION FEE PROGRAM FOR THIRD AND
SUBSEQUENT INSPECTIONS
CAO RECOAD4ENDATION
Adopt a resolution setting a $103 fee for excessive fire inspections to be levied on the third
and subsequent inspections. .
DISCUSSION
The inspection fee is for the fire and life safety inspection of a business or multi-family
apartment complex performed by engine companies and inspectors when three or more
inspections are required to gain compliance with a Notice of Violation. The fee would be
charged for every inspection after the initial inspection and one re-inspection. The revenue
gained would be recouping the cost of personnel and equipment performing this additional
service which is caused by non-compliance of business/property owners. The businesses and
multi-family residential complexes affected would have had two opportunities to comply with
the City's adopted codes and ordinances. The additional inspections are an imposition on the
time of the Fire Department and is taking time away from other important duties that personnel
perform.
To place this fee into effect Council needs to adopt a resolution to include excessive inspection
fees. Development of a form is needed to notify Finance when a third or subsequent
inspection is completed so that the business can be billed. The business and/or property owner
who does not comply with a Notice of Violation in an appropriate noticed time frame would be
required to pay the fee. The fee could be effective September 1, 1997 if adopted by Council.
This would allow time to develop the needed forms and protocol.
The Fire Department contacted ten comparable cities on this issue, eight have fire inspection
fees for excessive number of inspections. These Include: Davis, Monterey, Napa, Palm
Springs, Petaluma, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz and Ventura
FISCAL E%IPACT
The Fire Department estimates that approximately 10% of the businesses and multi-family
residences presently require three or more inspections. The fire department initially estimated
that up to $15,000 may be generated annually. Experience in other cities has shown that when
the program is placed into effect the number of additional inspections is significantly reduced.
EXHIBIT A
FEE FOR THIRD AND SUBSEQUENT FIRE INSPECTIONS
EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 1997
Third and subsequent fire inspections per inspection $103.00
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