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In comparing fees per square foot for all projects in the sample , it was found that there was significant variation . Because this variation could not be explained by project characteristics such as size or total value . it was decided not to use a single square footage based fee for combo permits . • Valuation/Square Footage Based Fee Using the sample of residential construction projects referenced above, staff and TCBA re-analyzed the project data to determine whether a square footage rate could be applied to reflect sub-permit fees , with the overall building permit fee still being calculated based on valuation . The analysis results showed that, for single- family and multi - family residential projects , using square footage would be an effective way to calculate sub-permit fees . rates Based on the analysis , staff and TCBA determined that using a fixed fee amount plus a tiered square footage based fee system would produce sub-permit fee amounts comparable to the amounts produced with the current system. For single-family residential projects, the three tiers are : less than or equal to 1 .500 square feet; greater than 1 ,500 square feet but less than or equal to 2 , 500 square feet, and over 2 ,500 square feet. For multi - family residential projects , the three tiers are : less than or equal to 5 ,000 square feet ; greater than 5 ,000 square feet but less than or equal to 10,000 square feet, and greater than 10,000 square feet. Generally, the analysis showed that the per square foot sub-permit fee costs decrease as a project ' s square footage increases . Consequently, the single-family sub-permit rates have been set at $ 100, Plus $ . 08/sq . ft. , for the first 1 ,500 square feet, plus $ . 06/sq . ft. , for the next 1 . 000 square feet. plus $ . 04/sq . ft. , for any additional square footage. For multi -family projects, rates have been set at $ 100, Plus $ . 08/sq . ft. , for the first 5 ,000 square feet, plus $.06/sq . ft. , for the next 5 ,000 square feet, plus $ .55/sq . ft. for any additional square footage . These rates reflect a per square foot charge that yields essentially the same amount of revenue for sub-permits as the current rate structure. Although staff and TCBA also analyzed commercial permit rates , the range of different types of commercial uses produced results with too much variation to allow for establishing square footage rates . For that reason, it was decided not to do commercial combo permits . Therefore, commercial projects will continue to be permitted as they are at present . ANALYSIS: As proposed, the combo permit process has the potential to reduce staff work and enhance customer convenience. These are benefits that can be obtained by combining multiple permits into a single combo permit. Even though the combo permit process will allow a single permit to authorize multiple building activities , there will be no loss of the building division ' s code compliance and building construction oversight functions . Associated with the establishment of the combo permit process is the proposed building permit fee schedule modifications . By instituting these fee schedule changes , the fee transaction component of the permit issuance process can be streamlined to complement the efficiencies of the overall combo permit process . JUNE 199 2001 PbG 6E - 78 -