[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the Municipality
of Murrysville 12-18-2002 by Ord. No. 624-02;[1] amended in its entirety 12-21-2016 by Ord. No. 959-16. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarms — See Ch. 77.
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 96.
Street and road construction — See Ch. 97.
Refuse hauling — See Ch. 120.
Grading, excavation and filling — See Ch. 124.
Parks and playground regulations — See Ch. 166.
Peddling and soliciting — See Ch. 169.
Sewers — See Ch. 193.
Subdivision and land development — See Ch. 201.
Zoning — See Ch. 220.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former
Ch. 112, Fees, adopted 12-5-2001 by Ord. No. 586-01.
Fees listed below for building permits are based on costs associated for routine scheduled inspections during regular municipal working hours and review by the municipal staff. In the event that permitting and inspection activity requires the hiring of outside consultants and/or is conducted by contracted consultants, these additional costs shall be assessed per § 112-4 of this chapter.
A.
Residential, single-family and multifamily classified as R-3 one-
and two-family use group.
(1)
Residential plan review of $125 is required.
(3)
For purposes of calculating the gross square footage area, all basements
and garages shall be included.
(4)
Structural alterations and repairs that do not involve expansion of the gross square footage of a structure as calculated under § 112-1A(3) shall be assessed a fee of $8.00 per thousand dollars of estimated cost. [NOTE: Where a structure is damaged, in need of repair, or where interior remodeling is proposed, the cost based fee provides a clearer method of assessing the fee commensurate with municipal costs involved. (This is the same approach as currently utilized within commercial structures.)]
B.
Residential, accessory buildings.
C.
Farm accessory structures.
(1)
A filing fee of $25 shall constitute the total fee required, provided that the following criteria are met. If all of the criteria cannot be met, then said structure shall pay fees in accord with Subsection D of this section.
(2)
Criteria for farm accessory structure permit:
(a)
Presentation of Schedule F of the Internal Revenue Service forms
for filing of tax returns.
(b)
Proof that the operation is family-run enterprise pursuing the
raising of crops on applicant-owned land and the raising of animals
such as dairy cows, beef cattle and domesticated fowl.
(c)
Proof that the operation is not actively involved in boarding
any animal, providing riding or training services and that all animals
on the premises are owned by the applicant's family.
D.
Commercial permits and reviews, and licenses.
(1)
Nonresidential structures and residential structures classified other
than R3 and necessitating a commercial review, including structures
accessory to nonresidential uses and telecommunications towers and
antennas. The fee for all commercial and commercial accessory structures
shall be based upon the value of the construction of said structure.
The permit fee shall be based upon documentation of construction costs
as listed in the construction contract. A fee of $7 per $1,000 of
value of the construction contract shall be paid prior to the issuance
of any building permit. A copy of all construction contracts shall
be submitted with all applications for building permits.
(2)
Accessibility plan review and inspection fee: $200.
(3)
Fire suppression system (sprinkler): $350.
(4)
Commercial cooking suppression: $50.
(5)
An administrative fee of $150 for new nonresidential construction
and $25 for all other commercial permits shall be assessed per permit
issued and due in addition to the permit application fee.
(6)
Fire suppression operating licenses: $300 per fire suppression system,
excepting ansel systems at $200 per system. Where an existing business
voluntarily installs a key box not otherwise required by municipal
ordinance, $300 shall be credited to the annual fee set forth in this
section for the year during which the key box was installed at an
approved location. Where the credit exceeds the amount due from the
operator, the license amount due from the operator shall be zero.
(NOTE: The proposed credit for key box costs was proposed by the fire
chiefs and code officers at a recent meeting regarding implementation
of Ordinance No. 724-07. The credit was suggested as a way of encouraging
existing businesses to voluntarily install a key box. The $200 versus
$300 amounts reflects the presumed amount of time necessary to inspect
each system. Certain establishments may bear multiple systems.)
E.
Land operations fees. These fees amend and replace fees included in § 124-15 of the Code of the Municipality of Murrysville.
(1)
Permit. The permit fee shall be paid based upon quantity of material handled or land area involved for each job site, even though the same material may be handled in more than one type of operation. Fees listed below for land operation permits are based on costs associated for routine scheduled inspections during regular municipal working hours and review by the municipal staff. In the event that permitting and inspection activity requires the hiring of outside consultants and/or is conducted by contracted consultants, those additional costs shall be assessed per § 112-4 of this chapter.
(2)
The amount of fee for the issuance of the permit shall be in accordance
with the following table:
(a)
Land reclamation project: $500 per year or fraction thereof.
(c)
Logging projects: $300 for one to five acres; $25 for each acre
above five.
(d)
Conventional gas wells: $500 per well.
(e)
Unconventional well (exploration or production of oil or natural
gas from a shale reservoir or source rock): $2,500 per well, in addition
to the cost of hiring a specialist to inspect activities or review
the application shall be invoiced to the applicant and shall not be
considered as part of the above fee.
(f)
Pipelines: $75 base fee, plus $0.10 per foot of overall length.
F.
Other fees.
(1)
Residential occupancy permit: $25 per unit.
(3)
Zoning certificate: $25 per unit, plus an administrative fee of $5
where no building permit is associated with the approval.
(4)
Sign permit: $100. All nonprofit organizations shall be exempt from
fees for any signs relative to activities supporting their organization
or those of any nonprofit organization, and an administrative fee
of $5.
(5)
Blasting permits: $250 for the first day of blasting, plus $50 for
each additional day of blasting. The costs of the hiring of specialists
to inspect activities, as required, shall be invoiced to the applicant.
(7)
Seismic testing permit: $500, in addition to the cost of hiring of
a specialist to inspect activities or review of the application shall
be invoiced to the applicant and shall not be considered as part of
the above fee.
(8)
Alarm systems. A fee of $35 will be charged for every false alarm
after the second and subsequent occurrence in any three-month period.
"False alarm" is receiving a telephone notice from a security firm's
central office, either accidentally or for a nonemergency, which is
not canceled within three minutes.
(9)
Swimming pools: $75 each and an administrative fee of $10
(10)
Public display of fireworks permit: $35. This fee does not apply
to permits issued to nonprofit and civic groups sponsoring public
displays of fireworks.
(11)
Burning permit. A service fee of $5 will be charged for burn
permits ordered online and paid with a debit or credit card.
(12)
Municipal no-lien letters: $25. A service fee of $5 will be
charged for no-lien letters ordered online and paid with a debit or
credit card.
(13)
DataMaster DUI breath test: $25 per incident where suspect is
determined to be legally intoxicated.
G.
Sewage facilities. The following fees shall be charged for carrying
out the provisions of the Sewage Facilities Act 537. New systems:
$500 for all permits.
(2)
In the event that the Municipality is required to subcontract to
a private firm to perform services and testing related to the issuance
of a septic permit, the applicant shall be invoiced for the actual
costs of those services performed by the Sewage Enforcement Officer
(SEQ) for that firm.
H.
Copies. The fees for copies of the following shall be as indicated.
A service fee of $5 will be charged where applicable for items ordered
online and paid with a debit or credit card.
(1)
Subdivision Ordinance: $15 per copy
(2)
Zoning Ordinance: $25 per copy.
(3)
Construction standards: $5 per copy.
(4)
Large municipal maps: $15 per copy.
(5)
Small municipal maps: $5 per copy.
(6)
Geographic Information System Maps (small): $3 per sheet (8.5 by
11 inches).
(7)
Geographic Information System Maps (large) $15 per plotter generated
sheet.
(8)
Zoning Map (large): $15 per copy.
(9)
Photocopies of municipal records: $0.25 per page for black-and-white
copies.
(10)
Photocopies of municipal records: $0.35 per page (or color copies.
(11)
Municipal records/recordings on CD/DVDs: $3 per disc.
(12)
Municipal records on flash drives: actual cost of the flash
drive.
(13)
Letter of certification: $5 per copy.
(14)
All police reports, excluding accident reports: $20 per copy.
Accident reports: $15.
(15)
Accident reconstruction reports: at actual cost.
(16)
Mailing and handling of above items: actual first-class postage
costs, plus $2 in handling costs.
(17)
Copies of large subdivision plans and site plans: actual costs
of photocopy, per invoice, plus a handling fee of $2.
(18)
Fingerprinting Services performed by the Murrysville Police
Department: $10. (Example: Public requests such as application fingerprint
cards.)
(19)
Electronic scanning from paper records to electronic format,
including plat plans: $1 per page.
(20)
Conversion from electronic format to paper: $0.25 per page.
I.
Recreation facilities fees:
(1)
The following fees shall be charged for the rental of picnic pavilions.
A service fee of $5 will be charged for online rentals paid by credit
card or debit card.
(c)
Gazebos: $25 per day.
(d)
A security deposit of $50, paid by cash or check, is required
(or the rental of all parks facilities.
(e)
An exemption from the pavilion fees is granted to the Franklin
Regional School District, the Murrysville Community Library, and the
Adult School Program when used for educational programs and activities.
(f)
Townsend Park, Upper and Lower Pavilions and Sardis Park Pavilion
1 and Pavilion 2, alcohol permit and security deposit. Alcohol permit:
$30. The preceding are subject to municipal policies as approved by
Council and shall be in addition to rental fees and deposits as otherwise
required. Security deposit of $200 paid by cash or check.
(g)
All recreation facilities (pavilion) reservation cancellations
must be received within 30 days of the event date. If the cancellation
is received after 30 days, the fees will be retained by the Municipality
of Murrysville. Also, reservation fees cannot be refunded due to inclement
weather or other circumstances after 30 days.
(2)
Community Center fees: A service fee of $5 will be charged (or online
rentals paid by credit card or debit card.
(b)
Meeting room: $15 per hour (Senior Center main room only).
(c)
Nonresidents and commercial renters shall be assessed $40 per
hour for Monday through Friday to 3:00 p.m. and $75 per hour for Friday
from 3:00 p.m. through Sunday.
(d)
Security deposit: $200 per rental of which $75 is a cleaning
deposit and $125 is a damage deposit. Damages incurred in excess of
the security deposit will be billed to renter. Security deposits shall
be paid by cash or check.
(e)
Rental fee exemptions shall include municipal functions or programs;
or programs that are cosponsored by a municipal department; other
governmental agencies programs or meetings; agencies and professional
organizations that are providing government related programs as approved
by the Chief Administrator or staff designee.
(f)
Community Center, alcohol permit and security deposit. Alcohol
permit: $30. The preceding is subject to municipal policies as approved
by Council and shall be in addition to rental fees and deposits as
otherwise required. Security deposit of $200, paid by cash or check.
(g)
All Community Center reservation cancellations must be received
within 30 days of the event date. If the cancellation is received
after 30 days, the fees will be retained by the Municipality of Murrysville.
Also, reservation fees cannot be refunded due to inclement weather
or other circumstances after 30 days.
(3)
Recreation program fees: Fees will be established by the Recreation
Director that reflects actual expenses in running the respective programs.
(a)
All recreation program cancellations must be received within
30 days of the program. If the cancellation is received after 30 days,
the fees will be retained by the Municipality of Murrysville. Also,
reservation fees cannot be refunded due to inclement weather or other
circumstances after 30 days.
(4)
Reservation of playing fields or courts.
(a)
Reservation of playing fields or courts for any resident group
defined as any group comprised of 80% Murrysville residents and/or
similar groups or clubs primarily serving residents or students of
Franklin Regional School District. Group rates and associated time
slots are as follows:
[1]
Seasonal fees:
[a]
Comprised of three months or less: $50 per field/per
time slot (fee includes the entire three months or less).
[b]
Comprised of four months or less: $75 per field/per
time slot (fee includes the entire four months or less).
[c]
Comprised of six months or less: $100 per field/per
time slot (fee includes entire six months or less).
[3]
Seasonal field fees shall be fully paid two weeks prior to the
organized use of the fields by the resident group. If the field fees
are not paid the municipality cannot guarantee reservation of the
time slots.
[4]
Time slot is defined as two hour incremental time slots beginning
at 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. with the evening slot defined as 6:00
p.m. until dusk.
(b)
Reservation of playing fields or courts for nonresident and/or
commercial groups. Group rates and associated time slots are as follows:
"Commercial groups" are defined as individuals, businesses, institutions
or other entities that are initiated or operated for the purpose of
making a profit.
[1]
Seasonal fees:
[a]
Comprised of three months or less: $100 per field/per
time slot (fee includes the entire three months or less).
[b]
Comprised of four months or less: $150 per field/per
time slot (fee includes the entire four months or less).
[c]
Comprised of six months or less: $200 per field/per
time slot (fee includes the entire six months or less).
[3]
"Time slot" is defined as two hour incremental time slots beginning
at 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. with the evening slot defined as 6:00
p.m. until dusk.
[4]
Seasonal field fees shall be fully paid two weeks prior to the
organized use of the field(s) by the commercial group. If the field
fees are not paid the municipality cannot guarantee reservation of
the time slots.
(d)
Those organizations exempted by Subsection I(2)(e) are also exempted by the fees imposed by this section.
(e)
All field reservation cancellations must be received within
30 days of the event. If the cancellation is received after 30 days,
the fees will be retained by the Municipality of Murrysville. Also,
reservation fees cannot be refunded due to inclement weather or other
circumstances after 30 days.
(5)
Lease/reservation fees for concession stands/storage facility.
(a)
Consideration for first option to lease will be given to organizations
that have either constructed or paid for construction of said facility.
Long-term lease shall be granted for a period of five years in consideration
of $1. Time of lease shall consist of "seasons" determined by the
sport in question. Lease is to be evaluated at the end of the five-year
period and may be continued in the same manner if deemed proper.
(b)
Consideration for second option to lease will be given to groups,
organizations or individuals for $100 per day or $300 per week, with
a deposit of $250 to be issued separately. Deposit will be returned
upon inspection of facility and determination that all has been left
in satisfactory condition.
(c)
Utility costs shall be assessed to the lessor at 80% of total,
with the Municipality of Murrysville being responsible for remainder.
(d)
Municipal use supersedes all other requests.
J.
Personnel costs. The following fees shall be charged for work performed
by the Public Works and Police Departments upon special request and/or
as a result of emergency repair work. All hours shall be charged at
minimum intervals of 15 minutes. Work shall be charged at rates defined
by the current employee contract and/or salary ordinance, plus benefits
including FICA, unemployment compensation, workers' compensation,
health, life and disability insurances and pension costs (excepting
work hours requiring overtime rates), and an administrative fee of
5% applied to each service request. Police vehicle usage shall be
charged the federal mileage rate to the nearest mile in addition to
the hourly rate cited with the average hourly police wage defined
by contract as the base hourly rate.
A.
Zoning district change or amendment to text. The fee for a zoning district change or amendment to the Zoning Ordinance proposed by other than a public body shall be $600, plus required review escrow as described in § 112-2G(10) of this chapter.
B.
Zoning Hearing Board appeal. The fee payable with an appeal of any
nature to the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) by other than a public body
shall be as indicated.
(1)
Variance to construct an accessory structure; addition to existing
residential unit or change in nonconforming use: $400.
(2)
Special exceptions and all home occupations: $400.
(3)
Other residential variances: $400.
(4)
Variance to construct a residential unit: $450.
(5)
Variance for commercial property: $600.
(6)
Use variance: $800.
(7)
Other variances not included above: $500.
(8)
Appeal of a determination of the Zoning Officer: $600.
(9)
Curative amendment: $1,000.
(10)
Continuance of a ZHB hearing requested by applicant: $150.
(11)
An administrative fee of $25 due in addition to each applicable
base fee.
C.
Conditional use application. In addition to the fees below, a required review escrow, as described in § 112-2 G(10) of this chapter shall be submitted with the application.
(1)
Major excavation or mineral removal or steep slope/poor soils: $400.
(2)
Major excavation or mineral removal and steep slope/poor soils: $600.
(3)
Other conditional uses: $400, plus costs of site plan and land development review (see Subsection D).
(4)
All conditional use applications which are not immediately associated
with land development or subdivision applications shall submit a $25
administrative fee in addition to the aforesaid fees required.
D.
Land development site plan.
(1)
In addition to the fees below, a required review escrow, as described in § 112-2G(10) of this chapter shall be submitted with the application.
(b)
A fee of $275 for the second acre or part thereof of total disturbed
area.
(c)
A fee of $175 per acre or part thereof over two acres of total
disturbed area.
(d)
The applicant shall submit an administrative fee of $25 and
a technology fee in the amount of 5% of the sum of Subsection D(l)(a)
to (c) in addition to the above-required fees.
(e)
Administrative land development plan applications shall require
a total review fee of $450 in lieu of the fees listed above, plus
a technology fee of $10.
(f)
Abbreviated land development plan applications shall require
a total review fee of $500 in lieu of the fees listed above, plus
a technology fee of $10.
(2)
Anyone submitting concept plans for an advisory review will not be
required to pay a land development site plan fee.
E.
Uniform Construction Code appeals. The fee payable with an appeal of the Uniform Construction Code to the Board of Appeals shall be $500. Appeals for any violation notice citing Chapter 174, Property Maintenance Code, shall be $250, refundable where an applicant's appeal of the decision by a Code Officer is granted or interpreted in favor of the applicant.
F.
Subdivisions and planned residential developments.
(1)
Preliminary plans and tentative approvals (for plans with six or more lots): an application fee of $1,000, plus $100 per lot. In addition to these fees, a technology fee of 5% of the above sum based on the number of lots shall be required. Simultaneous preliminary and final applications and planned residential development applications shall require an additional fee of $300. In addition to the aforementioned fees, a required review escrow, as described in § 112-2G(10) of this chapter shall be submitted with the application.
(2)
Final plans and construction drawings (for plans that gained preliminary
approval): an application fee of $600. In addition to this fee, a
technology fee of $50 shall be required. Planned residential development
applications shall require an additional review fee of $300.
(3)
Final plans and construction drawings (for plans not needing preliminary approval): The fees listed below will cover a Stage One review that provides the applicant with one Planning Commission meeting and two Council meetings. Applications that require additional review meetings will be assessed additional fees, as described in § 112-4 of this chapter.
(4)
Reapproval of subdivision by Council (after ninety-day-period expiration):
$300.
(5)
Reapproval of site plan (after thirty-day condition letter expiration):
$500.
(6)
The aforesaid plans, excepting administrative applications, shall
submit an administrative fee of $25. (NOTE: The term "abbreviated"
is added to reflect current Subdivision Ordinance terminology.)
G.
Engineering and planning review fees. The fees cited in Subsections C, D and F of this section are intended to provide for support services and administrative costs and do not include costs incurred by engineering and planning reviews directly associated with the application. Therefore, the following review fees shall be required in conjunction with subdivision and land development applications:
(1)
Administrative and abbreviated approvals: $50.
(2)
All minor subdivisions without public improvements and of five lots
or less: $350.
(3)
Preliminary: Subdivisions with public improvements or greater than
five lots: $1,500 filing fee plus $25 per lot. Simultaneous preliminary/final
approval shall require an additional review fee of $500.
(4)
All PRD applications, tentative and final, shall require an additional
filing fee of $300.
(5)
Land development without stormwater plan review: $1,000.
(6)
Land development with stormwater plan review: $2,800.
(7)
Final approval of phases previously granted preliminary approval
or tentative approval: $650 per phase.
(8)
Fee of $500 where any realignment of or additional traffic controls
on municipal streets are proposed.
(9)
Review of landscape plans and final approval of landscape installation
$125 per review hour.
(10)
Escrow deposit.
(a)
The Municipality of Murrysville requires that applicants for subdivision and/or land development, excepting those applications defined as "minor land development" and "minor subdivision" by Chapter 201 of the Murrysville Code, establish an escrow account with the Municipality. This escrow account shall be used for actual costs incurred by the Municipality for application/plan review (e.g., engineering, environmental, legal, and planning, etc.) by any of its professional consultants. Upon initial submission of any qualified application, in addition to the application fee, the applicant shall establish an escrow account with the Municipality of Murrysville. Initial escrow amounts shall be established and renewed when the account falls below the limit to renew the initial amount as follows:
|
Initial Escrow Amount
|
Limit to Renew Account
| ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Administrative and Abbreviated Approvals
|
$600
|
$100
| |
|
2-lot subdivision, or conditional use application when submitted
without concurrent subdivision or site plan application, or rezoning
applications
|
$1,200
|
$200
| |
|
More than 2 lots and/or less than 10 acres (subdivision)
|
$2,200
|
$400
| |
|
Subdivision of 10 acres or more
|
$3,500
|
$400
| |
|
Site plan less than 2 acres
|
$3,500
|
$500
| |
|
Site plan of 2 acres to less than 5 acres
|
$4,500
|
$500
| |
|
Site plan of 5 acres or more
|
$5,500
|
$500
|
(b)
At the completion of any project and after the final bond release
granted by the Municipality of Murrysville Council, any of the funds
remaining on deposit with the Municipality, after all fees are deducted,
shall be returned to the applicant.
H.
Engineering inspection fees. Where any land development or subdivision
has improvements required as part of the approval process, the Municipal
Engineer shall inspect these improvements for acceptability and bond
release. Inspection fees shall be assessed against the escrow amount
provided at the time of application and referenced in Subsection I(a)
above. The Developer will be responsible to pay for all inspection
fees incurred on the project, whether such fees are by the Municipal
Engineer or other parties as required by the Municipality.
The fees charged for road encroachment and highway occupancy
shall be as follows:
A.
Permit issuance fee. To defray incurred municipal costs in reviewing
and processing of the applications and plans, the Municipality has
adopted the most current Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Schedule of Fees for the following items:
B.
General permit inspection fee. To defray incurred municipal cost
in ongoing spot inspection(s) and subsequent inspection(s) after permitted
work is completed to ensure compliance with municipal regulations,
the Municipality has adopted the most current Pennsylvania Department
of Transportation Schedule of Fees for the following items. The activities
noted in this section shall require an additional administrative fee
of $50 accompanying the base permit fee.
C.
Exemptions. Permit issuance fees and general permit inspection fees
are not payable by any of the following:
A.
When in the course of enforcing or complying with the provisions
of requirements of this Code for building permits, land operations
permits, conditional use applications, Zoning Map amendments, subdivisions
and land developments, any costs that are incurred by the Municipality
for inspection(s), testing and/or report(s), additional meetings or
review beyond those that are indicated in the respective sections
of this chapter for each of the above-mentioned applications, shall
be invoiced to the applicant for the same, and the amount shall be
rendered within 30 days of receipt of such invoice.
(1)
Building permits and land operations permits.
(a)
The applicant shall be charged for any required inspection requested
by the applicant on days and hours other than Monday through Friday,
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The fee charged to the applicant in this case
shall be the actual costs to the Municipality including the hourly
rate for overtime and benefits for the inspector(s) performing such
duties.
(b)
Required inspections in which less than 24 hours' notice
is provided to the Municipality. These inspections shall be surcharged
$100 in addition to any other required fees and surcharges.
(c)
If the Municipality determines that the permitted work is of
sufficient magnitude to warrant assignment of one or more employees
or contracted specialists to inspect the work on a more than spot
basis, or they need to perform additional field work or testing, the
permittee shall be charged for all salary, overhead and expenses incurred
by each assigned inspector of the Municipality or the actual billable
costs of the contracted specialist(s).
(2)
Subdivisions, land developments, Zoning Map amendments and conditional
use applications.
(a)
If during the course of a review of a submitted application
for subdivision, land development, Zoning Map amendment or conditional
use application, additional meetings, beyond those indicated in the
respective sections of this chapter for the above applications, are
needed or requested, this shall be classified as a Stage II review.
The applicant shall be required to pay an additional $50 per meeting,
plus any other invoiceable costs, such as required newspaper legal
notices and court stenographers.
(b)
In the event that the applicant disputes the amount of any such
review fees, the applicant shall, within 10 days of the billing date,
notify the Municipality that such fees are disputed, in which case
the Municipality shall not delay or disapprove a subdivision or land
development application due to the applicant's notification of
disputed review fees. In the event that the Municipality and the applicant
cannot agree on the amount of the review fees which are reasonable
and necessary, then the applicant and the Municipality shall follow
the procedure for dispute resolution set forth in § 5/0(g)
of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code, Act 247, as amended.