City Council Meeting Date: July 14, 2026
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Lynette Peterson, City Clerk
Title
Review Fee Schedule Changes effective January 1, 2027.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council reviews the 2027 changes to the fee schedule.
Summary Report:
Annual review of fees and charges is desirable to ensure that the appropriate fees are being charged for City services. In formulating updated fee amounts, each department reviews services that are provided and what the costs for those services are. Costs include staff member time as well as overhead expenses. A resolution adopting changes to fees and charges will be included in the Council Meeting agenda item for the September 22, 2026 meeting. The updated 2027 fee schedule as a redlined version is included as Attachment 1. This attachment shows a view of current fees and proposed fees. It is recommended that the proposed fees be effective January 1, 2027. The proposed changes will be incorporated into the comprehensive fee schedule once adopted.
A brief explanation of proposed fee changes is noted below provided as background to the council:
EV Charging Fees
• Added Public Electric Vehicle Charging Station - Idle Fee.
Public Works - Pool
• Added Family Season Pass (“Reduced Lunch Eligible” fee 50% for those verified by School District)
• Added Family Season Pass (“Free Lunch Eligible” Free for those verified by School District)
City Clerk - Other License/Permits
• Added Domestic Partnership Registration Fee
Community Development - Rental
• Increase fee for Rental License (Type 1)
• Increase fee for Rental License Temporary
Community Development - Commercial Building
• Increase fee for Commercial Sewer and Water.
Community Development - Residential Building
• Increase fee for New Residential Building.
• Increase fee for Residential Addition.
• Increase fee for Residential Alteration.
• Increase fee for Garage/Shed.
• Increase fees for Residential Plumbing Permit for both new home or major remodel and minor remodel.
• Increase fee for Residential Sewer and Water
• Increase fee for New Residential HVAC.
• Increase fee for Residential HVAC Remodel/Alteration.
• Increase fee for Residential Deck Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Deck Repair.
• Increase fee for Residential Roof Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Siding Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Windows/ or Doors.
• Increase fee for Residential Fireplace Permit.
• Increase fee for Residential Solar Panels.
• Increase fee for Radon Mitigation System.
• Increase fee for Demolition Permit - Residential.
• Increase fee for Swimming Pool Permit.
Community Development - Building Permits
• Increase minimum fee for Building Permits
This is informational and will proceed as proposed for future adoption in September. If there are questions we’d encourage to do those at this time. Staff would address or follow up after research if there were questions that can’t be answered at the meeting. Otherwise, this will be prepared for adoption in September without another review.
Alternative Options:
The City Council may alternatively:
A. Make adjustments to fees as deemed necessary.
Financial Impacts:
There is not a significant impact to any of the budgets by the proposed fee changes.
Tentative Timelines:
The fee schedule process has been moved up for earlier review in the budget process for the 2027-2028 process. Fees would be adopted at the September 22 Council meeting via resolution taking effect January 1, 2027.