Township of Lower Swatara, PA Chapter FS Fee Schedule

[Res. 2000-R-4, 11/15/2000; as amended by Res. 2000-R-11, 12/21/2000; by Res. 2002-R-7, 2/20/2002; by Res. 2002-R-19, 12/18/2002; by Res. 2003-R-1, 1/15/2003; by Res. 2003-R-9, 9/17/2003; by Res. 2004-R-9, 5/19/2004, §§ I, II; by Res. 2005-R-7, 7/20/2005, §§ 1-5; by Res. 2005-R-15, 12/21/2005, §§ I-III; by Res. 2006-R-9, 8/16/2006, § I; by Res. 2008-R-7, 11/19/2008, §§ I, II; by Res. 2010-R-16, 12/15/2010, § 1; by Res. 2011-R-12, 10/19/2011, §§ I, II; and by Res. 2011-R-15, 12/21/2011, §§ I, II)]

§ 1 Returned Check Charges.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017; and during codification]

A fee of $40 will be imposed on returned checks issued to Lower Swatara Township and the Lower Swatara Township Tax Collector.

§ 2 Appeals Board.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; and by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017]

1. Property Maintenance/Township Ordinance Appeals Board.

A. For all Township ordinance hearings, an application fee of $500 payable in advance to Lower Swatara Township is required and shall be paid by the applicant or appellant.

B. Upon conclusion of the proceedings and determination of the actual costs, any unused portion of the fee will be returned to the applicant or appellant. When multiple hearings are necessary, determination will be made by the Township as to whether additional fees in increments of $500 should be deposited with the Township. In the event that the actual costs exceed the amount of the original deposit, such additional costs shall be paid to the Township by the applicant or appellant prior to the rendering of any opinion on the application or appeal.

C. An appeal application will not be accepted without the above-referenced fees. Payment must be made in the form of cash, certified check, money order or check.

2. Building Code (UCC) Appeals Board (Capital Region Council of Governments).

A. For all building code hearings, an application fee of $500 (in accordance with Capital Region Council of Governments fees, as amended from time to time) payable in advance to Capital Region Council of Governments is required and shall be paid by the applicant or appellant.

B. This fee is nonrefundable.

C. An appeal application will not be accepted without the above-referenced fees. Payment must be made in the form of cash, certified check, money order or check from an attorney's account.

§ 3 Building Code Permits.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; and by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017]

1. Building Code/New Construction Permit Fees. Building permit fees for new construction shall be based upon the building valuation data (BVD), and alterations and decks shall be determined by this section of this resolution, using the following schedules to compute the permit fees.

A. Value of New Construction. The building valuation data (BVD) shall be used to compute the minimum value of new construction.[1] The BVD represents the current average construction costs per square foot. This (BVD) is developed and is published by the International Code Council. The BVD is updated and printed at six-month intervals. The permit fee shall be based on the current BVD for when the permit application is received. Half of this fee shall be paid upon permit application. Remainder of fee required upon permit approval.

(1) Commercial: gross floor area multiplied by square feet construction costs from the ICC BVD table multiplied by the permit fee multiplier of 0.01.

(2) Residential: gross floor area multiplied by square feet construction costs from the ICC BVD table multiplied by the permit fee multiplier of 0.008.

[1] Editor's Note: See the table of Square Foot Construction Costs included as an attachment to this schedule.

B. All permits per Act 45 of 2004 are subject to a UCC surcharge fee of $4.50 or as amended from time to time by the state legislature.

[Amended during codification]

C. With all permit fees, fractions thereof shall be rounded up.

2. Residential Alteration/Decks Permit Fees. Residential alteration, as subject to Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as adopted in Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances:

A. Application fee (paid at time of application): $50.

B. Plan review fee (to be paid at application submission):

(1) For applications exceeding $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be application fee plus $4 per $1,000 of contract price.

(2) For applications less than $25,000 in contract price, application fee only applies.

C. Inspection Fee (to be paid once permit is approved):

(1) For applications exceeding $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be $4 per $1,000 contract price.

(2) For applications less than $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be $8 per $1,000 contract price.

3. Commercial Alteration Permit. Commercial alteration, as subject to Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, as adopted in Chapter 5 of the Code of Ordinances:

A. Application fee (paid at time of application): $75.

B. Plan review fee (to be paid at application submission):

(1) For applications exceeding $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be: application fee plus $5 per $1,000 of contract price.

(2) For applications less than $25,000 in contract price, application fee only applies.

C. Inspection Fee (to be paid once permit is approved):

(1) For applications exceeding $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be $5 per $1,000 contract price.

(2) For applications less than $25,000 in contract price, the fee shall be $10 per $1,000 contract price.

4. Electrical Permit Fees. Residential electric fees will be a flat fee of $25. New commercial construction fees will be based on the contract price of construction or fraction thereof using the following schedules. Commercial alterations will be based on the following fee schedule:

A. Fee for work not regulated by the International Building Code (IBC) and International Fire Code (IFC): $25.

B. If regulated by the IBC and IFC, an application fee of $75 plus $3 per $1,000 contract price.

C. For all plan review and inspections performed by a third-party agency, fees should be paid directly to that third-party agency in accordance with its fee schedule.

D. Commercial electrical work shall be reviewed and inspected by an approved Township third party. Whichever agency reviews the plans shall also inspect the work.

5. Other Fees. The following schedule shall be used to compute other permit fees:

[Amended during codification]

Mobile homes		$300 single-wide unit; $425 double-wide unit
Demolition
	Accessory structures more than 1,000 square feet	$50
	Residential structure	$100
	Nonresidential structure	$200
Miscellaneous		$50
Signs		(in accordance with any building permit fees)
Sprinkler system permits when the Township elects to use a third-party agency for plan review and/or inspection		$25
Certificate of occupancy not covered under a permit and requiring an inspection		$50
Pools (aboveground or in-ground)		$75
Reinspection fees paid prior to reinspection (for more than one failed inspection or multiple inspections per trade)		$75 per hour per employee with a minimum fee of $75 (fee will be prorated to the closest half hour)
Missed inspections (fee may be assessed for failure to meet inspector, or failure to cancel a previously scheduled inspection with at least 24 hours' notice)		$75
Revised/modification of plan
	Residential	$4 per $1,000 with minimum fee of $25
	Commercial	$25 per hour for staff review with minimum of $50
Annual permits for commercial structures		$75 for first $15,000 of cost of construction or fraction thereof, and $1 per $1,000 cost of construction thereafter

A. Fees in accordance with this resolution shall be doubled for work started prior to permit approval.

B. For all plan review and/or inspections performed outside of normal business hours, there will be a minimum fee of $75 per hour per employee. Fee includes travel time.

Hourly rate (for permits estimated at an hourly rate) $75 per hour for plan review and inspection	$75 per hour for plan review and inspection
Expedited plan review (available at the Township's discretion) $75 per hour plus above-mentioned fees	$75 per hour plus above-mentioned fees

§ 4 Stormwater Management.

1. Plan Review Fees.

A. Every application for approval of a Stormwater Management (hereinafter "SWM") Plan shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Township Secretary in accordance with the following fee schedule:

(1) For areas of disturbance less than one acre, the fee is based on the square footage of new impervious area as follows:

(a) Less than 1,000 square feet: $0.

(b) One thousand to 20,000 square feet: $500.

(c) Greater than 20,000 square feet to one acre: $700.

(2) For areas of disturbance greater than one acre, the fee is based on the square footage of disturbed acres as follows:

(a) One acre to five acres: $1,000 + $300 per acre over one acre.

(b) Greater than five acres to 25 acres: $2,500 + $200 per acre over five acres.

(c) Greater than 25 acres to 100 acres: $6,700 + $100 per acre over 25 acres.

(d) Greater than 100 acres: $14,300 + $50 per acre over 100 acres.

B. Every applicant shall pay to the Township Secretary the recording fee which is based on the Dauphin County Courthouse schedule of fees. The recording fee shall be determined prior to the Township's recording of the plan. Recording fees shall be paid for all plans and documents as set forth in the provisions of Chapter 26, Water, Part 1, Stormwater Management.

C. Should the aforesaid fees be insufficient to cover the cost of the Township's professional consultants or engineer for review of the plan, the applicant shall, when called on to do so, furnish additional amounts to cover all such review charges.

2. Permit Fees.

A. None are required; however, zoning and building permits may be applicable.

3. Inspection Fees.

A. On or before the date on which the SWM Plan is to be considered by the Board of Commissioners for approval, the applicant shall pay a check, payable to Lower Swatara Township, an amount determined or approved by the Township Engineer sufficient to cover the costs of:

(1) Inspecting the site layout for conformance with the plan.

(2) Reviewing cost estimates of required improvements (as applicable).

(3) Inspecting required improvements during installation.

(4) Final inspection on completion of installation of required improvements.

B. Upon conclusion of the inspection and determination of the actual costs of the above items, any unused portion of the fee will be returned to the applicant. In the event that the actual costs exceed the amount of the original deposit, such additional costs shall be paid to the Township by the applicant.

4. Special Purpose Fee. The Authority hereby imposes a special purpose fee of $4,000 per equivalent dwelling unit ("EDU") on future land development projects located within the Lumber Street Interceptor Drainage Basin as shown on the Sanitary Sewer Drainage Basins attached as Exhibit "A" and inset thereof attached as Exhibit "B" and incorporated herein,[1] and on any other properties with new connections that contribute sanitary sewage to the system that flows through the Lumber Street Interceptor.

[Added by Res. No. 2022-R-7, 9/26/2022]

[1] Editor's Note: Said exhibits are on file in Township offices.

§ 5 Junkyards.

Application Fee (§ 13-206)	$25
Annual License Fee	$100

§ 6 Claims.

Interest at a rate of 10% per annum shall be collectible on all Township claims for taxes, water rents or rates, lighting rates or sewer rates from the date of the filing of the lien therefor or, where the claim is for work done by the Township, from the date of completion of the work after it is filed as a lien. However, if the Township claims are filed arising out of a Township project which required the Township to issue bonds to finance the project, interest shall be collectible at the rate of interest of the bond issue or at a rate of 12% per annum, whichever is less.

§ 7 Dumpster Permit Fees.

[Amended during codification]

Permit fees for the Township dumpster program located at 810 Oberlin Road, are as follows:

Car trunk load	$20
Pickup truck load	$55
Tires	$10 per tire

§ 8 Mobile Homes and Mobile Home Parks.

Mobile home park license fee		$25
	(Annual renewal fee)	$25
Fee for each mobile home lot in the park		$2 per lot

§ 9 Parks and Recreation.

[Amended during codification]

Nonresident pavilion rental fee (§ 16-103) ($25 refund if area is cleaned after usage)	$50
Resident pavilion rental fee (§ 16-103) (refundable if area is cleaned after usage)	$25
Athletic field rental daily fee	$500

§ 10 On-Lot Sewage Disposal.

[Amended during codification]

1. Permits, Inspections and Tests.

Sewage permit application fee (includes permit review and issuance)	$175
Sewage System Inspections
Conventional (in-ground, sand mound)	$175
Alternate at-grade bed	$175
Alternate at-grade bed with pretreatment	$225
Alternate drip irrigation or micromound	$225
Tank replacement	$135
Minor repair (sewer line, baffle, etc.)	$135
Reconnection: new house to replace existing house, if applicable	$135
Additional inspection due to improper installation or special request	$65
Soil test
Subdivision primary site (2 soil test)	$150
Secondary site (2 soil test)	$100
Additional soil test/pit	$60
Repair primary site (2 soil tests)	$125
Additional soil test/pit	$60
Soil test performed with soil scientist	$65/hour
Percolation test (includes 6 holes)	$225
Additional perc test/lot/test	$150
(Additional holes/test)/6 holes (includes existing vacant lots of record as of May 15, 1972)	$125
On-lot sewage management inspection	$65
On-lot management minor repair permit	$65
Site verification of prior testing	$65
Annual holding tank inspection	$65
Planning module review (per review)	$100
Township Meeting attendance	$65 per hour
Copy of existing permits	$25

2. Should the aforesaid fees be insufficient to cover the costs to the Township, the applicant shall be notified in writing to furnish additional amounts to cover said costs.

§ 11 Solid Waste and Recycling Program.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-15, 11/20/2013]

An administrative service fee to cover Township costs associated with administering the solid waste program is set at $2 per quarter ($8 per year) per residential unit as bid by the contractor and shall be reflected on and collected with the contractor's quarterly billing.

§ 12 Street Openings and Excavations.

[Amended during codification]

1. Driveway Openings.

A. Residential: $50.

B. Commercial: $150.

2. Street Excavations.

A. Street openings requiring excavation of the street: $200 base plus $50 for every 100 feet of excavation or fraction thereof.

B. Surface area up to 36 square feet: $100.

C. Each additional 36 square feet: $75.

D. Trenching, tunneling, boring or drilling under an improved street: $100 base plus $25 for every 100 feet of work or fraction thereof.

3. Right-of-Way Work.

A. Excavation of right-of-way: $100 base plus $25 for every 100 feet of opening or fraction thereof.

B. Trenching, tunneling, boring or drilling: $50 base fee plus $5 for every 100 feet of work.

4. Curb Replacement.

A. For curb replacement with no street excavation: $50 base, $5 for each 100 feet of replacement or fraction thereof.

5. Permit extension: $50.

6. Utility pole or core drilling: $5 per pole or core.

§ 13 Subdivision and Land Development.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017; and by Res. No. 2022-R-9, 4/6/2022]

1. Fee in lieu of dedication of land for recreation purposes: $2,500 per residential unit.

2. Plan Approval Fees.

A. A plan of six lots or less may be submitted as a preliminary/final plan in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development.

B. Every application for approval of a preliminary plan, final plan or preliminary/final plan shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Township to cover the cost of the Township's professional consultants or engineer for review of the plan in accordance with the following: $500 plus $50 per lot or $50 per acre, whichever is greater.

C. Every applicant shall pay to the Township a fee in the amount as set by the Dauphin County Recorder of Deeds Office for the recording of all plans and documents as set forth in the provisions of Chapter 22, Subdivision and Land Development. In the event that the actual costs exceed the amount of original deposit, such additional costs shall be paid to the Township by the applicant prior to recording of plans or documents.

D. Should the aforesaid fees be insufficient to cover the cost of the Township's professional consultants or engineer for review of the plan, the applicant shall, when required to do so, furnish additional amounts to cover all such review charges.

E. In addition to the professional consultants or engineer fees set forth in Subsections B and D above, every application for approval of a preliminary plan, final plan or preliminary/final plan shall be accompanied by a fee payable to the Township to cover the cost of Township staff review of the plan in accordance with the following: $500 plus $50 per lot or $50 per acre, whichever is greater, plus $75 per hour for staff time beginning with the third and any subsequent submissions.

F. Engineering fee escrow account: $3,000 or as determined by the Township staff. Should the Township elect to establish an escrow account, the applicant shall pay the identified amount to cover the engineering review and engineering site inspection fees. In the instance where the escrow account will be exhausted, the Township in writing will request the applicant to provide an additional fee in increments of $1,500 or as determined by the Township staff. In the event the escrow account is exhausted, all and engineering work will cease until such account is replenished. At the completion of project, once all fees have been paid, the Township will refund the escrow account to the applicant within 30 days of the final payment.

[Amended during codification]

§ 14 Transient Retail Business.

1. License fee (15 days) (§ 13-102): $50.

2. Renewal fee (15 days): $50.

§ 15 Zoning Fees (§ 27-2705).

1. Zoning Permit. The fee for a zoning permit (or for a temporary zoning permit) shall be as per schedule below. Such fee shall be payable to the Township office upon making permit approval.

[Amended by Res. No. 2013-R-11, 8/11/2013; and by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017]

A. All construction of structures (including accessory structures) greater than 1,000 square feet and/or requiring a building permit shall be charged a zoning permit fee of $50.

B. All construction of structures where a building permit is not required shall be charged a fee for zoning permit as follows:

(1) Accessory structures and decks: $40.

(2) Fences: $35 residential; $75 nonresidential.

(3) Signs (per sign): $35 residential; $50 business; $75 off-premises billboard.

2. Hearings and Appeals before the Zoning Hearing Board.

A. For all hearings, residential, commercial or industrial in nature, held before the Zoning Hearing Board, a fee of $500, payable in advance, shall be paid by the applicant or appellant to the Township of Lower Swatara to cover compensation for the Secretary, compensation for Board members, notice and advertising costs, administrative overhead for the hearing and 1/2 of the appearance fee of the stenographer and transcription costs.

B. Upon conclusion of the proceedings and determination of the actual costs of the above items, any unused portion of the fee will be returned to the applicant or appellant. When multiple hearings are necessary, a determination will be made by the Township as to whether additional fees in increments of $500 should be deposited with the Township. In the event that the actual costs exceed the amount of the original deposit, such additional costs shall be paid to the Township by the applicant or appellant prior to the rendering of any opinion on the application or appeal.

C. No hearing shall be conducted before the Zoning Hearing Board before and until the above fees have been paid.

3. Changes or Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance or Map.

A. For every application for a change or amendment to the Zoning Ordinance or Map, a fee of $500, payable in advance, shall be paid by the applicant to the Township of Lower Swatara to cover the actual costs incurred for advertising, mailing notices, and services of attorneys, stenographers, engineers and consultants as may be required to properly process the application.

B. Upon conclusion of the proceedings and determination of the actual costs of the above items, any unused portion of the fee will be returned to the applicant. In the event that the actual costs exceed the amount of the original deposit, such additional costs shall be paid to the Township by the applicant prior to the rendering of any opinion on the application.

4. Home Occupation License.

[Amended by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; and by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017]

A. The license fee for all applications for home occupation use shall be $50. This fee shall be required for any original license issued to any applicant, as well as any renewal of each license.

5. Certificate of Use Letters. A fee of $35 will be imposed/required for preparation of any certificate of use letter.

[Added by Res. 2013-R-11, 8/21/2013; amended by Res. No. 2017-R-5, 2/15/2017]

§ 16 False alarms.

[Added during codification]

1. First, second, and third alarms in each calendar year: no charge.

2. Fourth alarm, each calendar year: $50.

3. Fifth through ninth alarm each calendar year: $100.

4. Tenth through 19th alarm each calendar year: $500.

5. Twentieth alarm or more in any calendar period: $1,000.

§ 17 Resources.

[Added during codification]

1. Photocopies:

A. Letter (8.5 inches by 11 inches).

(1) Black and white: $0.25.

(2) Color: $0.50 per page.

B. Legal (8.5 inches by 14 inches), black and white: $0.30.

§ 18 Wireless Communications Facilities (WCF) Fee Schedule.

[Added by Res. No. 2021-R-6, 7/7/2021]

Application Fees
	Tower-based WCF	$2,500
	Nontower WCF	$1,000
	Small WCF (collocated)	$500 for up to five small WCFs in single application, $100 for each small WCF thereafter in same application
	Small WCF (requiring new wireless support structure)	$1,000
Annual Fees
	Small WCF (inside rights-of-way)	$270