The new ordinance increases the SAWS fee waivers available for affordable housing, makes fire-damaged residential properties eligible for fee waivers and updates the fee waiver timeline.
Two-minute impact
The Fee Waiver Program provides waivers for city permitting fees and SAWS impact fees for projects in four categories: affordable housing, historic and owner-occupied rehabilitation, small business and targeted industry, according to city documents.
Changes to the Fee Waiver Program include:
- SAWS Impact Fee Waivers have been increased from a maximum of $250,000 to $400,000 for affordable housing developments. Once the policy takes effect, fee waivers from prior years may be increased to the new maximum.
- Repairs to fire-damaged residential property may now be eligible for fee waivers if the fire occurred within three years, the home was occupied at the time of the fire and the property remains under the same ownership.
- The fee waiver timeline’s approval, renewal and expiration dates have been readjusted to align with the SAWS budget year and to prioritize shovel-ready projects.
According to city documents, the Fee Waiver Program was first adopted Dec. 13, 2018, and updated Dec. 16, 2021, to align with the Strategic Housing Implementation Plan, or SHIP—a framework to help the city increase its affordable housing stock.
SHIP’s five major goals are:
- Develop a coordinated housing system
- Increase city investment in housing with a 10-Year Funding Plan
- Increase affordable housing production, rehabilitation and preservation
- Protect and promote neighborhoods
- Ensure accountability to the public
Currently, the application for affordable housing waivers is open to residents with a deadline of Feb. 13. The program is also accepting applications for historic rehabilitation and small businesses.
