[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and City Council of the City of Havre de Grace 4-16-2007 by Ord. No. 884.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 70, Fees, adopted 4-16-2007 by Ord. No. 884; amended in its entirety 2-21-2023 by Ord. No. 1091.
The following is an enactment listing the specific fees collected from the various ordinances, resolutions, and policies for the City as they shall be established as of the effective date of this chapter.
The fee schedule in § 70-5 is for services provided exclusively by City Administration staff personnel, unless otherwise noted. In the event services require professional services from an independent organization as determined by the Director, the applicant will be responsible to reimburse the City the total cost of the outside professional plus a $100 administrative fee. In the event the City must use an outside professional, the applicant will be notified of the cost before any services are rendered. The applicant may withdraw their request for the services before the parties enter into a binding agreement for the services. After contracting, the applicant will be responsible for all costs incurred by the City by the outside contractor, including cancellation, plus a $100 administrative fee.
This chapter represents a general compilation schedule of the most common fees charged by the City of Havre de Grace for various permits, licenses and other services. Citizens are urged to consult the specific ordinance, resolution, or policy for fees charged associated with permits, licenses, and other services not listed in this chapter. Additional state and county codes may be applicable (plumbing, mechanical and electric), as well as other City Ordinances or Codes (listed at the end of this section) that may include additional costs. The Director of Planning or designee may determine the applicability for a building permit and associated fee if not specifically covered by this fee schedule or other City ordinances.
1.
Chapter 1 - General Provisions; Civil Sanctions
2.
Chapter 38 - Cable Communications
3.
Chapter 49 - Critical Areas
4.
Chapter 61 - Elections
5.
Chapter 81 - Forest Conservation
6.
Chapter 112 - Open Air Markets
7.
Chapter 120 - Nuisances
8.
Chapter 127 - Peddling & Solicitation
9.
Chapter 162 - Solid Waste
10.
Chapter 166 - Special Assessments
11.
Chapter 174 - Swimming, Fishing and Camping
12.
Chapter 177 - Taxation
13.
Chapter 180 - Taxicabs
14.
Chapter 186 - Trees
15.
Chapter 190 - Vehicles and Traffic
16.
Chapter 196 - Water and Sewer Rates
17.
Chapter 205 - Zoning
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words, terms and phrases shall, unless language or context indicates that a different meaning is intended, be given the meaning as herein set forth:
BUILDINGS BUILT FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY
Includes but not be limited to the following uses: all residential buildings, church, school, theater, lecture hall, restaurant, museum, nightclub, library, exhibition hall, terminal, recreation center, community center, gymnasium, physical fitness center, retail and/or sales, office, service and/or repair, personal care, animal care and boarding, manufacturing, industrial, hospital, health care, nursing home, medical, dental, public utility structure, day care, hotel, motel, conference center, club, telecommunications, research and development, bank, and funeral care.
CARPORTS
Shall be designed such that there are a minimum of two open sides and shall be fire rated for a minimum of one-hour fire protection from the interior side of the structure when attached to an occupied structure. Subsequent storm water runoff from the structure shall not discharge within 10 feet of any adjoining property line.
CONSTRUCTION DUMPSTER PERMITS
Not required when dumpsters are located on property under development where the City of Havre de Grace has not taken possession of the streets or rights-of-way on which a dumpster may be located. A permit is required for any construction dumpster proposed to be located on City property or City right-of-way or a public or private street (road, lane or alley) whereby that public or private street has been given final construction approval and accepted by the City of Havre de Grace whether maintained by the City or not. No dumpster shall block the use of any public sidewalk or any driveway or obstruct or otherwise affect any emergency response vehicle or personnel. Any dumpster proposed or necessitated to use any street for its temporary location shall first obtain the approval of the City of Havre de Grace Chief of Police or designee and shall be required to obtain a permit from the Department of Planning. "Temporary" as contained in this chapter, shall mean no more than 60 days plus two thirty-day extensions granted by the Department of Planning upon written request within any one-year period, unless permitted by the Director of Planning due to extenuating circumstances.
DECKS
An attached or detached nonenclosed exterior structure for social use as a deck/porch/patio. Shall include any approved material (including masonry/brick/stone or other approved exterior finish material, elevated more than 24 inches above the immediate finished grade). May have a roof. Requires a permit at the deck rate.
DEMOLITION, FULL
The complete razing of a structure but may preclude the removal of the existing supporting foundation. At the discretion of the Code Official, a demolition permit may not be required for the removal of accessory buildings typically used for storage and which do not contain water or sewer connections made directly to City water and sewer distribution lines or composed of or containing hazardous material. Contact the City Code Official for determination on specific buildings.
DEMOLITION, PARTIAL
The removal of a specific section or portion of a structure which includes structural components with or without replacement.
FOOD TRUCK OPERATOR/HAWKER/VENDOR/PEDDLER/SOLICITOR (PEDDLING AND SOLICITING)
A. 
FOOD TRUCK OPERATORAny vendor that sells any sort of food product for consumption in the City limits from a truck, trailer, mobile smoker/grill or pull-behind cart such as a hot dog cart.
B. 
HAWKERA peddler who sells his/her wares by outcry in the streets and public places.
C. 
ITINERANT VENDOR OR TRANSIENT MERCHANTA person who is established in business in the City with the intention and determination to remain for a short period of one or more weeks or months, or until a particular stock of merchandise is disposed of or until the local market for the commodity handled by the dealer has been exhausted, and who, for such limited period, engages or occupies a lot of ground or the improvements thereon or a part thereof for the exhibition and sale of his goods or wares.
D. 
PEDDLERA person who goes from place to place and/or from house to house carrying for sale and/or exposing for sale goods, wares and merchandise which he/she carries; or a vendor of goods who sells and delivers to customers the identical goods which he/she carries.
E. 
SOLICITERA person who, going from person to person, house to house, or place to place, seeks orders, subscriptions, contributions or any other kind of support, or who, without necessarily having the intention of making a direct sale, distributes literature, pamphlets, handbills, samples and the like for commercial purposes.
FOR PROFIT
A business or other organization based on IRS determination whose primary goal is making money (a profit), and is concerned with money only as much as necessary to keep the organization operating.
NEW WINDOW OR DOOR
Shall apply to newly cut openings or expanded openings into a structural or nonstructural exterior wall of an occupied structure. No permit is required for replacement windows or doors installed within an existing opening.
NON-PROFIT (NPO) (also known as a "non-business entity")
An organization based on IRS determination the purpose of which is something other than making a profit, such as charity, education, history or the arts. In economic terms, a nonprofit organization uses any surplus income for the organization's purpose or mission and is not distributed to the organization's shareholders (or equivalents) as profit or dividends. This is known as the nondistribution constraint. The decision to adopt a nonprofit legal structure is one that will often have taxation implications, particularly where the nonprofit seeks income tax exemption, charitable status and so on or to obtain funds from others and provide an income deduction.
PERMIT REISSUANCE FEE
Any building permit that is deemed to have been abandoned for any period of six months or longer shall be deemed expired. The Code Official may grant one extension (upon a written request for an extension by the permit applicant received by the Code Official) for up to 90 days. Request for extension must be requested within 30 days of expiration notification. Work must be diligently pursued prior to extension expiration in order to keep the permit valid. Additional extensions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. All work must be completed and pass all final inspections before a permit is deemed closed. Incomplete expired permits may be subject to permit violation fees following written notice.
PERMIT VOIDED
Any building permit approved for any proposed work not commenced within six months of the issuance of the building permit shall be voided. After a permit has been applied for, but not issued due to additional documentation required, shall be voided if the required documentation has not been received within six months of application date.
RETAINING WALL
A wall subjected to or built to sustain lateral pressure other than wind pressure. A retaining wall built with an unbalanced fill exceeding three feet shall be designed and built in accordance with construction plans designed and sealed by a Maryland licensed engineer with applicable knowledge in such design; photocopied plans with the applicable seal are acceptable or as determined by the Code Official.
SCREEN ROOMS
Screen rooms are for seasonal use only, enclosed with screening only. Cannot have solid walls or windows which would create an addition or sunroom. No interior plumbing fixtures are permitted within a screen room; electrical outlets, ceiling fans and lighting are permitted and shall be installed in accordance with all applicable electric code requirements and shall require an electrical permit.
SMALL CELL WIRELESS TOWER
"Small cells," which are low-powered wireless base stations that function like traditional cell sites in a mobile wireless network, but typically cover targeted indoor or localized outdoor areas; have a "distributed antenna systems (DAS) which are numerous antennae, commonly known as nodes similar in size to small cells and are connected to and controlled by a central hub" may be attached to a support structure (new or an existing utility pole).
STORAGE CONTAINERS, TEMPORARY
No storage container shall be permitted in a City right-of-way nor on City property without City authorization and a permit; no storage containers shall be permitted to be placed in any portion of a front yard of a residential property other than a driveway. A permit is required for all nonresidential properties and when the proposed location is on City property or City right-of-way or a public or private street (road, lane or alley) whereby that public or private street has been given final construction approval and accepted by the City of Havre de Grace whether maintained by the City or not. No storage unit shall block the use of any public sidewalk or any driveway or obstruct or otherwise affect any emergency response vehicle or personnel. Any storage container that necessitates the use of any street for its temporary location shall first obtain the approval of the City of Havre de Grace Chief of Police or designee and shall be required to obtain a permit from the Department of Planning. "Temporary" as contained in this chapter shall mean no more than 60 days plus two thirty-day extensions granted by the Department of Planning upon written request within any one-year period, unless permitted by the Director of Planning due to extenuating circumstances.
STRUCTURES
(Designed and) built for human occupancy shall include those applicable classifications as listed in the International Building Code and the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.
SUNROOMS
Sunrooms are fully enclosed structures with solid walls and/or windows, applied for as an addition, subject to property line setbacks as shown in Attachment I/Table I under Chapter 205, Zoning. No interior plumbing fixtures are permitted within a sunroom; electrical outlets, ceiling fans and lighting are permitted and shall be installed in accordance with all applicable electric code requirements and shall require an electrical permit.
WATER AND/OR SEWER DISCONNECTION/ABANDONMENT
In matters regarding structure demolitions, both water and sewer lines serving the structure to be razed shall be disconnected at the utility main if the utilities are no longer required, or need to be upgraded. All work performed within a City right-of-way shall be performed by City personnel, unless written permission is provided by the Director of Public Works and is subject to applicable disconnection fees chargeable to the property owner of the subject demolition.
Fee Type
Fee Charge
RESIDENTIAL - New Construction
1- and 2-family
$0.25 s/f, minimum $450
Multifamily (condominiums)
Shell/common areas: $0.12 s/f, minimum $200
Each dwelling unit: $0.25 s/f, minimum $450
Multifamily (apartments)
$0.025 s/f entire building
RESIDENTIAL - Rentals (Short-Term)
Annual application fee
$200/unit for two or fewer dwelling units in same structure (single-family, townhouses, duplexes)
$150/unit for three or more dwelling units in same structure (multifamily)
$150 for interior common area in multifamily units
Inspections
No fee for initial inspection
50/unit or common area in multifamily re-inspection
$100 missed inspection
RESIDENTIAL - Other
Additions (including sunroom)
$0.12 s/f, minimum $350
Screen room
$0.12 s/f, minimum $100
$100 if it included a new deck
Open deck (with or without roof)
$0.10 s/f, minimum $75
Renovations/alterations/repairs
$0.10 s/f, minimum $75, Nonstructural alterations
With structural alterations, $100 minimum
Masonry, brick, or stone exterior facade
$100 masonry fireplace
$50 masonry, brick or stone siding
Garage (attached or detached)
$0.25 s/f, minimum $100
Storage building, under 200 sq ft
$50
Storage building, over 200 sq ft
$0.25 s/f, minimum $75
Retaining wall, over 3 ft height
$1 linear ft, minimum $100
Miscellaneous structures (gazebos, pergolas, pavilions, carports or other)
$0.25 s/f, minimum $75
Impervious patio
$50, over 200 sq. ft
Fencing
$50
Driveway and/or curb cut
$75
Demolition - full
$500
Demolition - partial
$100
Demolition (training exercise by Fire Department)
No Fee
Swimming pool, aboveground or hot tub
$50
Swimming pool, in-ground
$100
Window or door (new or enlarged opening)
$75 first, $10 each additional
COMMERCIAL - New Construction
Hotel, motel, assisted living, rooming house, and similar type uses
Shell/nonsleeping areas: $0.12 s/f, minimum $300
Each sleeping room: $100 up to 400 s/f (add $0.25 per s/f over 400)
Non-high hazard uses
$0.12 per s/f, minimum $300
High hazard uses
$0.15 per s/f, minimum $500
(Multiple occupancy buildings will require individual use and occupancy permits)
Marina
$500 plus $20 per slip
COMMERCIAL - Other
Use and occupancy (no modifications)
$100
Use and occupancy (with modifications)
$0.12 per s/f, minimum $200
Additions
$0.12 per s/f, minimum $500
Storage buildings - commercial use
$50 plus $0.25 sq ft
Signs
$50 each, up to 24 sq ft/$75 each, over 24 sq ft
Demolition - full
$500 up to 5,000 sq ft/$750 over 5,000 sq ft
Demolition - partial
$200
Demolition (training exercise by Fire Department)
No Fee
Swimming pool (club - public or private/aboveground or in-ground)
$200
Community playground
$200
Miscellaneous structures (gazebos, pergolas or pavilions)
$50 plus $0.25 s/f
Fencing
$75 plus $0.05 per lin. ft. over 250
Retaining wall (any height)
$1 linear ft, minimum $100
Window or door (new or enlarged opening)
$75 first, $10 each additional
Tank - aboveground or below ground (requires MDE approval)
$250
Driveway and/or curb cut
$100
UTILITIES
Small cell wireless facilities
$500 application fee (up to 5 devices)
$100 per device after first 5
$270 annual fee
Utility or communication tower (new)
$500
Utility or communication tower (replacement or addition of equipment on existing tower)
$200
NEW DEVELOPMENT
Concept plan
$200 plus $10 per acre up to 100 acres
Over 100 acres - $1,000 plus $20 per acre
Site plan review - Residential
$250 plus $50 per dwelling lot
Site plan review - Commercial
$400 plus $50 per acre
Site plan revisions (Residential or Commercial)
$150 plus $10 per lot/unit/acre affected
Subdivision
$250 plus $50 per lot
Lot consolidation or lot line adjustment
$50
General engineering review (plans, utilities, streets)
$300 plus $50 per hour over 4 hours
Stormwater management review (in-house)
$300 plus $50 per hour over 4 hours
Stormwater management review (3rd party)
Third-party reviewer invoice at market rate plus $100 City administrative fee
Forest Stand Delineation (FSD)
Included under FCP permit
Forest Conservation Plan (FCP) (in-house)
$300 plus $10 per acre of conservation area
FSD and FCP (3rd Party)
Third-party reviewer invoice at market rate plus $100 City administrative fee
Grading permit
$100
Landscape/lighting plans
$200
CAPITAL COST RECOUPMENT FEES
Bulle Rock - Water
$577 per unit
Bulle Rock Rt. 40 - Sewer
$1,552 per unit
Bulle Rock Rt. 40 - Forced Sewer Main Nonresidential
$27,625 per acre
Bulle Rock Rt. 40 - Forced Sewer Main, Residential
$6,222 per unit
Greenway Farms - Water Main
$1,210
MISCELLANEOUS
Board of Appeals - hearing fee
$450 includes video costs
Board of Appeals - minimum transcript fee
$100 (balance due following transcribers invoice)
Construction dumpster (in City right-of-way)
$50 per maximum 14 calendar days
Temporary storage pod or container
$50 per 60 calendar day period (180 days maximum)
Boat pier (requires state approval)
$50 new or renovation of existing
Bulkhead (requires state approval)
$50 per 100 ft. new or renovation of existing
Administrative fee for permit revisions
$75
Reissue expired permit with Department approval
$50 or cost of original permit, whichever is less
Written notice of permit violation, working without a valid license or permit, issuance of a stop-work order (in addition to regular permit fees)
$250 first occurrence
$300 second occurrence
$350 subsequent occurrence (with administrative hearing)
Property maintenance inspection fee
$55 second occurrence
$100 subsequent occurrences
Sewer clean-out caps (lost or damaged)
4" Lid & Gasket = $40
6" lid & Gasket = $70
Water meter replacement lid
$150
Document copies (black and white only)
$0.30 per page - letter size
$0.40 per page - legal size
$0.50 per page - ledger size
$4 per page - 18" x 24" or larger
Large document scanning
$2 per page
CITY BUILDING FACILITIES
Community Center
Rental fee (Weekends - Friday through Sunday)
$1,100 per event
50% nonrefundable deposit
Balance due 60 days' prior to the event
Rental Fee (Monday through Thursday)
$400 daily rental (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.)
$50 per hour evening rental (2-hour minimum)
Reduced Rates for Community Center
Parks & Rec Dance Team - Summer Camp (Monday through Friday, Full Days)
$500
City employee use
$500
1 time per year
Must be for the employee's personal use and the employee must be on site for the entire event
Chamber of Commerce, Community
Projects of HDG, Inc., Arts Collective
$250 cleaning fee only
1 time per year
Vulcan
No charge
Anytime during non-peak times November through April
Responsible for set up and clean up
Harford County Sheriff's Office Officer Training/Recognition Event
Cub Scouts - Blue & Gold Dinner
Boy Scouts - Eagle Award Recognition or troop fundraiser
Red Cross Blood Drive
SHCO Membership Recognition Event (request only by the Fire Chief)
HDGEMS Membership Recognition Event (request only by the EMS President)
No charge
1 time each per year
Must be during non-peak times November through April
Responsible for set up and clean up
Key deposit
$100
Refundable if all conditions are met
Community Pavilion at Hutchins Memorial Park
$250 per day
Reduced Rates for Community Pavilion at Hutchins Memorial Park
Havre de Grace Youth Sailing Program
Summer camp - no rental fee or trash disposal fee charged
Fundraising events - no rental fee charged, responsible for the trash disposal fee
STAR Centre
Large Gym
Any ticketed events
10% of ticket sale
Not applicable to HDG Nonprofits
Weekdays (available 6:00 through 12:00 midnight)
$100 per hour (2-hour minimum)
or $750 per day
Weekends (available 6:00 through 12:00 midnight)
$200 per hour (2-hour minimum)
or $1,500 per day
Housekeeping fee
Required: $475 per event day
Additional (optional): $30 per hour to have an attendant onsite during event to service restrooms and empty trash
Reduced rates for large gym
Havre de Grace Recreation Committee
50% of rental rate and housekeeping fee once per weekly rental (sunsets July 1, 2024)
Small Gym
Any ticketed events
10% of Ticket Sales
Not applicable to HDG Nonprofits
Weekdays (available 6:00 through 12:00 midnight)
$60 per hour (2-hour minimum)
or $450 per day
Weekends (available 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight)
$150 per hour (2-hour minimum)
or $1,000 per day
Reduced rates for small gym
Havre de Grace Recreation Committee
50% of rental rate and housekeeping fee once per weekly rental (sunsets July 1, 2024)
Auditorium
Any ticketed events
10% of Ticket sales
Not applicable to HDG nonprofits
Weekdays (available 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight)
$100 per hour (2-hour minimum) or $750 per day
Weekends (available 6:00 through 12:00 midnight)
$200 per hour (2-hour minimum) or $1,500 per day
Technician
Market rate per hour (4-hour minimum)
House Manager
$20 per hour (4-hour minimum)
Housekeeping fee
Required: $475 per event day
Additional (optional): $30 per hour to have an attendant onsite during event to service restrooms and empty trash
Auditorium Classrooms
Weekdays/weekends (available 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight)
$40 per hour (2-hour minimum) or $300 per day
Opera House
Main Stage Theatre Rental - events/performances
$700 per performance day (this fee includes "tech week" for theatre company rentals)
Main Stage Theater Rental - nonevents/performances (Weekdays 6:00 a.m. through 12:00 midnight) (Firehouse not included)
$100 per hour (4-hour minimum)
Studio theatre rental (Black Box)
$50 per day
Technician
Market rate per hour (4-hour minimum)
House Manager
$20 per hour (4-hour minimum)
Housekeeping fee
Required: $175 per event day
Reduced rates for Opera House
Havre de Grace Arts Collective
4 dates per year (one in each quarter) during nonpeak times. No rental fee charged. Responsible for the cleaning fee. Must be flexible should a full-priced rental request be the same date(s).
Havre de Grace Colored School Foundation
Annual Langston Hughes presentation during a non peak time. No rental fee charged. Responsible for the cleaning fee. First or Second Saturday afternoon in February.
Havre de Grace Green Team
Environmental film every other month during nonpeak times. No rental fee charged. Responsible for the cleaning fee. Must be flexible should a full-priced rental request be the same date(s).
Havre de Grace Friends of Harford County Public Library and Harford County Public Library
Annual Black Gospel Music Experience during a nonpeak time. No rental fee charged. Responsible for the cleaning fee. Must be flexible should a full-priced rental request be the same date.
Friends of the Concord Point Lighthouse
The Shank Lecture Series during nonpeak times. No rental fee charged. Responsible for the cleaning fee. Must be flexible should a full-priced rental request be the same date(s).
Film Production
Event application fee
$2,500
Hourly fee for DPW & PD
Wage rate with full benefits
Use of City property (not listed in the Fee Schedule)
$500 per day
Promenade Grille
Negotiated lease contract with Mayor and City Council by ordinance
Shooting Range (Police Rentals Only)
$300 to $500 per day based on operational and replacement costs
Tide Trolley
Ridership
Donation
Roof advertisement - 30-day cycle
$50 per trolley plus cost of the signage (only one sign displayed on each of the trolleys per advertiser)
Peddling and Soliciting (Non-food truck)
Per day
$50
Per week
$250
Per month
$550
Up to 6 months
$2,500
Up to 1 year
$5,000
No group discounts will apply
Food trucks
$50 per 90-day period
MARINA - CITY OWNED
Users
Marina slip season (January through December) slip fees
$67/foot - FY24
$70/foot - FY25
$72/foot - FY26
Slip user fee
5% of dockage (slip rental, dry/wet storage - not to exceed $100 annually)
Unmetered slip holder electric fee
$75 annually
Wait list
$50 (two offers)
Dinghy, canoe, kayak storage
$50 annually - sticker issued by Marina Manager
Tydings Park ramp fee
$10 per launch
Water Street ramp fee
$10 per launch
Unpaid ramp (day of launch)
$25
Pump out fee
$5
Transients
Electric
$10 per cord per day
Bathroom key deposit
$20 refundable
Daily slip (after 9:00 a.m.)
$1.50 per foot of boat length
Monthly slip rate
$20 per foot of boat length
Hutchins Memorial Park slip
$115/foot (includes electric)
RUNNING and WALKING RACES Based on Ordinance 986 on 1-17-2017
For profit organizations
$3,000
Nonprofit organizations
$1,500
Havre de Grace nonprofit for the benefit of a Havre de Grace organization
No Fee
The fees and charges contained in this chapter shall be reviewed by City staff each year in coordination with the City's General Fund and Enterprise Fund budgets.