The fees resulting from the Comprehensive Fee Study and restructuring were implemented in Executive Regulations 8-15, 9-15AMII, and Council Resolution 18-317. An Enterprise Fund Stabilization Factor (EFSF) was adopted in recognition of the fluctuation of work volumes to provide for annual adjustments to avoid the large accumulations of excess reserves which our fee payers found to be very objectionable and cover shortfalls. EFSF is adjusted up or down on July 1 of each year to cover DPS labor and operating costs and to manage the reserve Policy under the 2002 Principles of the Fiscal Management of the Permitting Services Fund.

Fee regulations are approved by County Council resolution or are approved by the County Executive. As such, requests for a waiver or reduction of fees cannot be honored.

Generally, a filing fee must be collected at the time of application. The balance of the permit fee, if any, is due prior to permit issuance with one exception. The balance of permit fee for Engineered Sediment Control permits is due one year after permit issuance or before the final inspection, whichever comes first.

The applicant must schedule a final inspection when the work is completed. Once the DPS inspector deems the work has been completed according to all County codes and standards, the permit will be finalized and the bond returned to the applicant.

The Department is responsible for collecting fees for other County agencies based on codes that require certain regulations be followed for plan approval or permit issuance. Some examples include tree canopy fees, roadside tree fees or stormwater waiver fees. Generally these fees are assessed during plan review and are collected prior to permit issuance. Fees collected for other agencies are financially tracked separately and distributed to the appropriate agency yearly.

If the permittee is unwilling or unable to complete the work, DPS will seize the funds from the bond to complete the work.