Council adopts technology fee and flat solar permit charge; staff to implement state building procedures
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Summary
The council approved a resolution to adopt a 5% building technology fee and a flat solar‑permit fee (stated as $273.04), clarifying that permits for structural and ground‑mounted solar require permitting under state law.
The Dundee City Council voted to adopt a technology fee to help fund required building‑department software and a flat fee for solar permits.
Council considered a resolution (identified in discussion as “Resolution 2025‑11”) that implements a 5% technology fee on building permits to pay for required programming and administration for the building department. Staff explained the fee follows the state process for changing building fees: the city submits notice to the state building department, receives public comment, and then the council votes to adopt the change.
Council also approved a flat fee for solar permits; staff referenced a flat fee of $273.04 for solar panels. Councilors asked whether the fee applies to commercial and residential installations; staff said the fee applies to both. Staff and councilors discussed when a permit is required: structural permits are required for rooftop and ground‑mounted solar when the installation requires a structural permit or electrical connection; staff said that companies installing residential systems typically apply for the permits on behalf of the homeowner.
Council passed the resolution by voice vote after questions about scope and applicability. Staff said the city built the fee into the current budget and will follow the state’s public‑notice and comment procedures already underway. The council asked staff to clarify administrative steps and to confirm whether the flat solar fee will be applied at permit intake.