Code fees take big jump on council's new fee schedule

By -
2019 Fee Schedule, page 1 of 6

Columbia Borough code fees have gone up - drastically. According to council's newly released 2019 fee schedule, the borough's condemnation fee is now $750, a 275% jump from 2018's fee of $200. 

The cost to appeal any decision of a code enforcement officer or police officer is now $250, up from $100 in 2018. In addition, the zoning hearing fee is now $700, as compared to last year's $600. Other fees have seen similar increases, while some have increased marginally or have held steady.

The complete 2019 fee schedule can be found HERE.

The 2018 fee schedule is HERE.


Comments

Anonymous said…
I think this boro is going crazy. Time for Murphy and Rebecca to leave. Where do they think people get all this money and this on top of raising taxes.
February 4, 2019 at 7:53 PM
Anonymous said…
These people are nutz, they will keep people out of Columbia , with the fees ,why would any one buy here????
February 4, 2019 at 8:01 PM
Anonymous said…
Because these 7 can't spend with in a budget , they want to rape the tax payers , they have to go so these things are repealed. Laughting stock yes 7 a holes keep up there crap.
February 4, 2019 at 8:04 PM
/2 said…
Are all these fees even legal?

February 5, 2019 at 6:43 AM
Anonymous said…
Now wait just a minute. Hold the outrage. I agree the appeal fee is wrong, but these things are user fees. These services require costs on the borough. There's a lot that goes into processing a demolition permit. There's a lot that goes into a zoning hearing. Heck, the borough has to pay a court reporter for a zoning meeting. I don't want the borough to give this stuff way, I'd rather the user pay than the taxpayer!
February 5, 2019 at 11:57 AM
HeatherZ said…
Completely agree with you.
February 5, 2019 at 1:14 PM
Anonymous said…
I support the codes increase, get out those slum lords! Those increases only effect slum lords. I take care of my place, so no worries here.
February 5, 2019 at 3:20 PM
Anonymous said…
So $250 to contest a $25 quick ticket ..lol
February 5, 2019 at 3:20 PM
Anonymous said…
Some of these so called fees are actually fines. So you are calling a fine a user fee?
February 5, 2019 at 5:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Don't count your chickens, the increase is for all. Codes don't follow up on rentals, only family owned homes.
February 5, 2019 at 7:21 PM
Anonymous said…
And still I wonder - why does DUE PROCESS mean nothing to this boro?

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/due_process
February 6, 2019 at 1:10 PM
Anonymous said…
Correct you are.. slumlords don't live here, and hide behind voicemail. a local tenant here on Locust st, has no working baseboard heating, uses an illegal heater. despite complaining to boro, to date they use an illegal heater
February 6, 2019 at 2:15 PM
Anonymous said…
We will see what d/j says.
February 6, 2019 at 4:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Look what Helm cost the tax payer on the twin towers fart, now the church, and he is inspecting our health and food preparation business places , a real manager would let the state do the inspections for free, no brainer or are they hiding something again???
February 6, 2019 at 5:55 PM
Anonymous said…
I am just reading the Tuesday night work session notes. I am told and do I understand it correctly that some of the UNPAID tax bills in this town for SEVERAL properties, is the same man the borough is lending OUR money to? Someone please tell me I am incorrect about this because if this is correct, WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE? If the taxes are not being paid,he doesn't even deserve CONSIDERATION for a loan. The loan is illegal anyway which will be proved, but this is unbelievable.
February 7, 2019 at 6:24 PM
Sharon said…
That is incorrect. Rebecca Denlinger stated that the cost to appeal a quick ticket remains at $100. I know it is confusing when you read that because it is not specifically stipulated within the schedule.
February 9, 2019 at 7:44 AM
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