San Clemente Municipal Code Ch. 8.20 Fire Protection Fees and Charges

The City Council finds that the continuing increase int he costs of providing adequate fire protection and other public safety services to the City has created an urgent need for additional funds to provide these services. The following provisions are authorized, and it is further declared that such fees are levied pursuant to the legal authority of the City and are solely for the purpose of providing revenue.

(Prior code § 20-11)

The Fire Protection Director may impose a fee for service rendered by the Fire Department based on the facts that the conditions listed below may impose a financial burden above the level of service established by the City Council.

A. Standby Charges. The Fire Protection Director may charge a standby fee for costs incurred by the City that are necessitated by a need for general public safety as set forth in Section 25.117 of the Uniform Fire Code as adopted by the City. This fee will be based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040 of this chapter.

B. User's Fee. The Fire Protection Director may charge a fee based on actual cost incurred by the City for any service performed by the Fire Department where these costs require a recall of additional fire personnel above the normal manning as established by the City Council.

C. Charges for Service to Non-Tax Supporting Institutions. The Fire Protection Director may charge a fee for the total costs incurred by the Fire Department of service performed to any non-tax supporting institution. This fee will be based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040.

D. State Mandated Duties. The Fire Protection Director may bill the offices of the State of California or the federal government actual costs incurred for the performance of duties mandated by them. This charge will be based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040.

E. Ambulance Transport Fee. The City shall charge a fee of forty-five dollars ($45.00) for emergency ambulance transportation service provided by the City; provided, however, that such fee may be changed from time to time as determined and based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040.

F. Plan Check Fee. The Fire Protection Director shall charge a plan check fee for all plan checks and subsequent inspection of those buildings required by the City Fire Code. This fee is to off-set actual costs incurred by the fire department. This fee will be based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040.

G. Fire Cause Determination Fee. The Fire Protection Director may charge a fee for all cost incurred by the Fire Department for providing service that resulted by causes that are determined to be a violation of the City Fire Code. This fee will be based on the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040.

H. Permit Fee. Fire Department permit fees shall be established in accordance with the schedule as adopted pursuant to Section 8.20.040 of this chapter.

(Ord. 1163 § 71, 1995; Ord. 1140 § 12, 1994; prior code § 20-12)

The fees as provided under Section 8.20.020 of this chapter shall be based on actual costs and the Fire Chief shall present to the City Council for approval, a fee schedule based on the approved Fire Department budget. The fee schedule will encompass manpower, equipment, material and maintenance costs in such a form as to insure proper charges for services rendered. Said schedule shall be approved by resolution of the City Council.

(Prior code § 20-14)

The above fees shall be binding upon all persons rendered such services as well as their successors in interest, assigns, estates and heirs.

(Prior code § 20-15)

A. Purpose. .....The purpose of the subscription ambulance service is to give the people served by the San Clemente Fire Department an opportunity, by paying a modest subscription fee, to avoid substantially larger costs which would be incurred if they should require ambulance service during the subscription period.

B. Fee. .....The City Council by resolution may adopt a fee for the subscription ambulance service, together with any rules and regulations applicable thereto which the Council may deem necessary or desirable, and changes in the fee or in the rules and regulations may be made by resolution of the Council at any time.

(Prior code § 20-17)