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Earlier editions: 2026-09

Title 3 — Revenue and Finance

Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Ch. 3.40 Fee and Service Charge Revenue/Cost Comparison System

Lake Elsinore Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-04 · Lake Elsinore

Cite as: Lake Elsinore Municipal Code Chapter 3.40 · Text as of 2026-10-04

§ 3.40.010. Intent.

Pursuant to Article XIIIB of the California Constitution, it is the intent of the City Council to require the ascertainment and recovery of costs reasonably borne from fees and charges levied therefor in providing the regulation, products or services hereinafter enumerated in this chapter.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.010; Ord. 790 § 1, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.020. Delegation of authority and direction to City Manager.

The City Manager is hereby delegated the authority and directed to adjust fees and charges to recover the percentage of costs reasonably borne in providing the regulation products or services enumerated in this chapter in the percentage of costs reasonably borne and on the schedule of rate review and revision as hereinafter established in this chapter.

"Costs reasonably borne"

shall be as defined in LEMC § 3.40.030. In adjusting fees and charges, the City Manager shall act in an administrative and ministerial capacity and shall consider only the standards and criteria established by this chapter.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.020; Ord. 790 § 2, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.030. "Costs reasonably borne" defined.

"Costs reasonably borne,"

as used and ordered to be applied in this chapter are to consist of the following elements:

A.

All applicable direct costs including, but not limited to, salaries, wages, overtime, employee fringe benefits, services and supplies, maintenance and operation expenses, contracted services, special supplies, and any other direct expense incurred.

B.

All applicable indirect costs including, but not restricted to, building maintenance and operations, equipment maintenance and operations, communications expenses, computer costs, printing and reproduction, and like expenses when distributed on an accounted and documented rational proration system.

C.

Fixed asset recovery expenses, consisting of depreciation of fixed assets, and additional fixed asset expense recovery charges calculated on the current estimated cost of replacement, divided by the approximate life expectancy of the fixed asset. A further additional charge to make up the difference between book value depreciation not previously recovered and reserved in cash and the full cost of replacement, which also shall be calculated and considered a cost so as to recover such unrecovered costs between book value and cost of replacement over the remaining life of the asset.

D.

General overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the expenses of the City Council, City Manager, Finance Department, City Clerk, City Treasurer, City Attorney's Office, Community Promotion, Personnel Office, and all other staff and support service provided to the entire City organization.

Overhead shall be prorated between tax-financed services and fee-financed services on the basis of said percentage so that each of the taxes, fees and charges shall proportionately defray such overhead costs.

E.

Departmental overhead, expressed as a percentage, distributing and charging the cost of each department head and his or her supporting expenses as enumerated in subsections (A), (B), and (C) of this section.

F.

Debt service costs, consisting of repayment of principal, payment of interest, trustee fees and administrative expenses for all applicable bond, certificate, or securities issues or loans. Any required coverage factors of added reserves beyond basic debt service costs also shall be considered a cost if required by covenant within any securities ordinance, resolution, indenture or general law applicable to the City.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.030; Ord. 790 § 3, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.040. Schedule of fees and service charges.

The City Manager, Finance Director and each City department head, under the direction of the City Manager, shall review the fees and service charges listed following, on the schedule of frequency listed in this section, and set and adjust the fee or charge schedule so as to recover the listed percentage of costs reasonably borne necessary to provide the listed regulations, products or services.

Regulation, Product or Service Regulation, Product or Service Percentage of Costs Reasonably Borne to Be Recovered Review Schedule
Development Services: Development Services: Development Services: Development Services:
1. Building Plan Check 100% Annual
2. Building Inspection 100% Annual
3. Sign Review 100% Annual
4. Subdivision Inspection 100% Annual
5. Engineering Permit Inspection 100% Annual
6. Utility Inspection 100% Annual
7. Public Improvement Inspection 100% Annual
8. Subdivision Plan Checking 100% Annual
9. Final Tract/Parcel Map Check 100% Annual
10. House Moving Review 100% Annual
11. Grading Plan Check Fees 100% Annual
12. Traffic Marking Study Request 100% Annual
13. Flood Hazard Review 100% Annual
14. Extension of Map Approvals 100% Annual
15. Parcel Information 100% Annual
16. General Plan Review and Revision 100% Annual
17. Zone Change Review 100% Annual
18. Variance Review 100% Annual
19. Conditional Use Review 100% Annual
20. Site Plan Review 100% Annual
21. Tentative Parcel Review 100% Annual
22. Tentative Tract Review 100% Annual
23. Appeal Processing 100% Annual
24. Plans Revision Review 100% Annual
25. Review of Annexation Request 100% Annual
26. Day Care Review and Inspection 100% Annual
27. Lot Line Adjustment Review 100% Annual
28. Lot Merger Review 100% Annual
29. Compliance Certification 100% Annual
30. Right-of-Way Abandonment Review 100% Annual
31. Negative Declaration Review 100% Annual
32. Environmental Impact Review 100% Annual
33. Special Event Services 100% Annual
34. Specific Plan Review 100% Annual
35. Development Agreement Review 100% Annual
36. Landscape Plans Review 100% Annual
37. Camping Application Review 100% Annual
38. Project Eligibility Review 100% Annual
Public Safety Services: Public Safety Services: Public Safety Services: Public Safety Services:
39. City Code Enforcement 45% Annual
40. Traffic Code Enforcement 50% Annual
41. Parking Enforcement 25% Annual
42. Business Use Review and Inspection 100% Annual
43. Animal Regulation 15% Annual
44. Regulatory Inspection and Review 100% Annual
45. False Alarm Response 100% Annual
Human Services: Human Services: Human Services: Human Services:
46. Adult Group Field Rental Maintenance To Be Determined Annual
47. Youth Group Field Rental Maintenance To Be Determined
48. Community Center Rental Maintenance 50% Annual
49. Center Class Rental Maintenance 50% Quarterly
50. Senior Citizen Services 0% Annual
51. Transit Operations 10.6% Annual
Maintenance Services: Maintenance Services:
52. Utility Street Usage 100% Annual
53. Refuse Collection Street Usage 100% Annual
54. Landscape/Lighting Service September 1987: 25% Annually through 1972 Act
September 1988: 50% Assessment District
September 1989: 75% Annually through 1972 Act
September 1990: 100% Assessment District
55. Street Sweeping Services 100% Annual
56. Street Tree Maintenance September 1987: 25% Annually through 1972 Act
September 1988: 50% Assessment District
September 1989: 75% Annually through 1972 Act
September 1990: 100% Assessment District
57. Storm Drain Maintenance January 1988: 50% Annually through 1972 Act
January 1989: 100% Assessment District
58. Unpaved Street Maintenance 100% As Maintenance Requested
59. Vacant Lot Weed Removal 100% Annual
Administrative Services: Administrative Services: Administrative Services: Administrative Services:
60. Library Building Rental By Contract Annual
61. School Administration Bldg. Rental 100% Annual
62. Chamber/Commerce Bldg. Rental 100% by Contract for Services Annual
63. NSF Check Processing 100% Annual
64. Sale of Maps and Publications 100% Annual
65. Document Copying 100% Annual
66. Document Certification 100% Annual
67. Records Research Service 100% Annual
68. District Risk Management Services 100% Annual
69. Redevelopment Operations Administration Overhead Rate Annual
70. Redevelopment Project Administration Overhead Rate Annual
New Services New Services 100% Annual

A minimum fee of $10.00 shall be charged in all instances except in the cases of numbers 46, 47, 50, 64 and 65 hereof.

The hereinabove services as listed in this section shall be as defined in that certain document entitled "Cost Control System for the City of Lake Elsinore" dated December 1986, as produced by Management Services Institute.

All fees and charges set pursuant to this chapter and section shall take effect 10 days after the City Manager signs an executive order stipulating that all provisions of this chapter have been complied with, and no written appeal has been filed.

The schedule of frequency of rate adjustments may be varied by the City Manager to adjust revenues sufficient to meet debt service coverage requirements of any bond, certificate, or ordinance, resolution, indenture, contract, or action under which securities have been issued by the City which contain any coverage factor requirement.

Assembly Bill 717 became effective January 1, 1996, which mandates and establishes specific certification, training and continuing education requirements for Construction Inspectors, Plans Examiners and Building Officials who are employed by a local agency. The State does not provide reimbursement for this mandate, but does allow the local agency to impose a fee to cover the cost of compliance. The fee to provide and comply with Assembly Bill 717 shall be set by resolution of the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.040; Ord. 790 § 4, 1987; Ord. 1014, 1996)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.050. Public meeting.

Pursuant to the requirements of California Government Code Section 54992, the City Clerk shall cause notice to be provided as set out in said Government Code Section 54992, and the City Council shall receive at a public meeting oral and written presentations concerning the fees and charges proposed for those categories of fees and charges set out in Government Code Sections 54990 and 54991. Such notice, oral and written presentation receipt, and public meeting shall be provided by the City Council prior to the City Manager taking any action on any new or increased fees or charges for those categories set out in said Government Code Sections 54990 and 54991 and LEMC § 3.40.040.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.050; Ord. 790 § 5, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.060. Provision of data.

Pursuant to Section 54992 of the California Government Code, the City Manager shall, at least 10 days prior to the required public meeting set out in said Government Code Section, make available to the public data indicating the cost, or estimated cost, required to provide the services set out in Government Code Sections 54990 and 54991.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.060; Ord. 790 § 6, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

§ 3.40.070. Appeal to City Council.

Any person who feels that any fee or charge determined and set by the City Manager is in excess of the percentage of costs reasonably borne to be recovered as set out in LEMC § 3.40.040, or that such fee or charge has been reviewed prior to or has not been reviewed within the review schedule as set out in LEMC § 3.40.040, may appeal in writing to the City Council.

No fee for which an appeal has been filed shall take effect until heard by the City Council. Such appeal shall be placed on the agenda of the next ensuing Council meeting after receipt of such appeal, and heard at the next ensuing Council meeting. Such appealed fee or charge shall take effect immediately upon hearing by the City Council unless ordered otherwise by ordinance amending the chapter.

(Code 1987 § 3.32.070; Ord. 790 § 7, 1987)

Exceptions & meaning →

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