HomeMy WebLinkAbout11/21/2000, C6 - WAIVER OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS 2 Council M.Eq oar
II - 21 -CG
acjenoa Repout �
CITYOF SAN LUIS O B I S P O
FROM: Robert F. Neumann, Fire Chief
SUBJECT: WAIVER OF BUILDING PERMIT FEES FOR FIRE
SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution waiving building permit fees for projects limited to the retrofit of an
existing building for the addition of a fire-sprinkler system.
DISSCUSSION
In April of 1998 the City Council revised the Fire Sprinkler Ordinance. This was done
primarily to align fire-sprinkler installation requirements with the deadlines established
by the Un-reinforced Masonry (URM) Ordinance. Other changes to the fire sprinkler
retrofit program, suggested by property owners in order to minimize economic impacts,
included:
1. A program was developed and linked to the downtown infrastructure master plan. A
component of this plan allows for the installation of fire-sprinkler laterals by the City
where required in the"commercial fire zone"to serve existing buildings.
2. The existing rebate program was modified, making it more equitable for property
owners to install sprinkler laterals prior to the scheduled infrastructure upgrades by
the City.
Recent input from a number of key stakeholders has pointed out an inequity in the two
ordinances. The URM strengthening program waives permit fees while the Fire Sprinkler
retrofit program does not. Staff believes,based on the logic outlined below, that a permit
fee waiver provision should be adopted as an incentive where a project consists only of
the installation of an automatic fire-sprinkler system in an existing building.
1. Fire sprinklers conserve water and fire department resources. Fires in sprinklered
buildings require one-tenth the amount of water. Compared to fires in buildings
without sprinklers, fires in sprinklered buildings cause much less property and water
damage (nine to ten times less).
C6-1
2. A fire in a commercial occupancy can have a significant financial impact for the
City, adjacent properties and the business itself. Historically, of the businesses that
have a major fire, less than 20% ever reopen, and of those that do, half fail in less
than six months. This can mean a loss of tax revenues and a loss of employment for
the employees. If the fire spreads to other businesses, which is likely in the
downtown area, the impact is multiplied.
CONCURRENCES
The Chamber of Commerce and the Building Official both support waiving the permit
fee.
FISCAL IMPACT
Fiscal impact is minimal and will be spread over a long period of time.
Many property owners will opt to make other significant improvement to their properties
when installing a sprinkler system, which will trigger the assessment of permit fees for
the entire project.
Because we typically use consultants for plan review services, staff recommends that
plan check fees remain the responsibility of the applicant.
ATTACHMENT
Resolution
C6-2
RESOLUTION NO. (2000 Series)
A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
WAIVING FIRE SPRINKLER-PERMIT FEESOR APPLICANTS RETROFITTING A
BUILDING FOR FIRE-SPRINKLER SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, an inequity exists between the Un-reinforced Masonry Ordinance and
the Fire Sprinkler Ordinance, and
WHEREAS, the Un-reinforced Masonry Ordinance waives building permit fees
and the Fire Sprinkler Ordinance does not, and
WHEREAS, the Fire Department encourages businesses to install fire-sprinkler
systems,because fire sprinklers save lives, conserve water and Fire Department
resources, and
WHEREAS, fire sprinklered buildings cause much less property and water damage,
and
WHEREAS, a fire in an unprotected commercial occupancy can have a significant
impact for the City, adjacent properties and the business itself which can mean loss if tax
revenues and loss of employment
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the City of San Luis Obispo that building
permit fees are waived for projects limited to the retrofit of an existing building for the
addition of a fire sprinkler system.
Upon motion of , seconded by
and on the following roll call vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
C6-3
Resolution No. (2000 Series)
Page 2
the foregoing resolution was adopted this day of 2000.
Mayor Allen Settle
ATTEST:
Lee Price, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
f G Jor nse , City Attorney
C6-4