Article X — FIRE DEPARTMENT FEES AND CHARGES

(A) Pursuant to Cal. Health and Safety Code § 13916, the San Benito County Board of Supervisors is authorized to charge fees to cover the cost of any service which the Fire Department provides or the cost of enforcing any regulation for which the fee is charged. (B) The Fire Department is further authorized to issue permits required by Article 4 of the Uniform Fire Code to maintain, store, use or handle materials, to conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property, or to install equipment used in connection with the activities. (C) This article establishing authority and methods for establishing and collecting fees for permits and services is to provide for the recovery of costs to the Fire Department for enforcing regulations or providing services. (1966 Code, § 15E-1) (Ord. 788, § 1(part))

Fees shall not exceed the estimated reasonable cost of enforcing the regulation or providing the service for which the fee is charged. The fees will be based on a minimum charge of one hour, unless otherwise identified on schedule. (1966 Code, § 15E-2) (Ord. 788, § 1(part))

The schedule of fees will be in accordance with the resolution that may be adopted by the Board of Supervisors from time to time. (A) Building plan check: reviews, plan checks and inspections of new construction, remodels and additions (including, but not limited to, carports, garages and decks): (1) Plan check of unsprinldered occupancies: (a) Single-family; (b) Residential (R-1); and (c) Commercial/industrial. (2) Plan check of sprinklered occupancies: (a) Single-family; (b) Residential (R-1); and (c) Commercial/industrial. (B) Sprinkler system plan check (existing structures): (1) (a) Sprinkler plan check: 1. NFPA 13D; and 2. NFPA 13 and 13R. (b) Costs depend upon number of heads. (2) Minimum sprinkler addition/remodel fee; (3) Computer calculation engineering fees; and (4) Underground fire line permit/plan check (installed by other than fire sprinkler contractor). (C) Alarm system plan check: (1) Alarm system plan checks; and (2) Alarm system engineering fees. (D) Fire extinguishing system plan check: (1) Systems; and (2) Extinguishing systems engineering fees. (E) Building plan review; (F) Discretionary/minor land division plan check; (G) Addition inspection fees: (1) Third plan re-submittal; (2) Construction or installation prior to plan approval; (3) Field appointment fees: (a) Missed appointments (15-minute waiting time); (b) Excessive appointments (more than two appointments per test); (c) Unprepared for scheduled appointments; and (d) After normal business hours appointments. (4) Professional engineering fees. (H) Requested inspections: (1) Escrow inspection clearance; (2) Occupancy use change inspections; (3) Day care facility (seven or more persons); and (4) Board and care facility.

(I) Special services: (1) Depositions/interviews for civil litigation; (2) Fire prevention reports; (3) Photographs; (4) Miscellaneous permits; (5) Outside technical support/interfacing with consultants. (Applicants are responsible for securing outside technical support for projects beyond the scope and experience of the San Benito County Fire Department); (6) Weed abatement: (a) Weed abatement (future addition); and (b) Administrative fee. (7) Excessive number of reinspections on occupancy fire inspection program, in excess of two reinspections (each occupancy to receive one inspection and two reinspections before fee implementation); (8) Fire Department personnel standby as required by the Uniform Fire Code; (9) Returned check fee; and (10) Administrative fees associated with Fire Department citations such as late payment, citation processing and legal recourse resulting from the collection process. (1966 Code, § 15E-3) (Ord. 788, § 1(part))