Home, commercial building permit prices could increase

Driving the news: The fee schedule changes are part of the city's $1.7 billion 2026 budget proposal.

• The proposed changes are expected to add roughly $5 million to the department's roughly $22 million budget, though it will still take a small cut — like most other city departments.

What they're saying: Department director Abbey Brands said the department conducted a review last year of what it charges for services and compared that to neighboring communities, including Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville.

• The review found that Indianapolis' fees are generally well below those of peer cities and are not keeping pace with the cost to provide services, which include building inspections and construction permits.
• "We are not changing every fee and penalty," she said.

Zoom in: Zoning violations were introduced in 1988 as a flat $50 violation and haven't changed since, Brands said.

• The proposal would raise the fee for commercial vehicle parking offenses to $325, and various other zoning violations between $100 and $250.
• Building inspection fees were last updated in 2010.
• The department wants to increase fees for commercial building inspections and add new fees for reinspection ($175) and stop work order violations ($250 for residential, $750 for commercial).

What's next: A public hearing on the budget will be held Sept. 22 and the council will take its final vote Oct. 6.