Logo courtesy of the City of Live Oak

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - The Live Oak City Council approved phased increases to planning department fees during a public hearing on May 20, citing the need to better recover the city’s costs for development-related services.

The planning department oversees requests such as rezoning, environmental impact reports, use permits and design reviews. According to city officials, the city’s Master Fee Schedule has not been updated since 2003, leaving current fees below the actual cost of providing services.

Finance Director Ethan Gutierrez said the proposed changes are intended to help offset those costs.

“The purpose of this item is to adjust service fees and charges within planning to help recover city costs of providing community-based services,” Gutierrez said.

The council first reviewed proposed fee increases in April alongside updates to parks and recreation fees. While the council approved the parks and recreation adjustments at that time, members asked staff to revise the planning fee proposal to include a phased implementation process.

“While council acknowledged our fees are pretty low in comparison to other jurisdictions, there was an emphasis on continued support for development and economic growth,” Gutierrez said.

Under the approved plan, the new fees will take effect June 1 with a 40% discount applied during the first year. Beginning in July 2027, the discount will decrease to 20%. The full fee schedule will take effect in summer 2028.

Examples of the updated fees include use permits increasing from $1,899 to $6,000 and environmental reviews increasing from $645 to $4,500.

Mayor Jeramy Chapdelaine said the updated rates remain competitive with nearby cities while helping reduce pressure on the city’s general fund.

“So, we’re still trying to stay competitive without putting so much of a burden on the general fund,” Chapdelaine said. “Because if we don’t recapture fees through this process it has to be subsidized through the general fund.”

The council approved the fee increases in a 4-0 vote. Councilmember Nancy Santana was absent.

The next Live Oak City Council meeting is scheduled for June 3.