Home renovation and recreation fees to increase in Coral Springs. Here’s why
New city fees are going into effect July 1 in Coral Springs on items such as home renovations and field rentals.
After a review from consultants at PFM Group and Matrix CG, city officials said some departments’ fees must be adjusted to be right-sized so that users, rather than taxpayers as a whole, take on the majority of the burden of paying for the services.
“Some of these fees we have not done a study on them, and in a decade,” Tina Jou, the head of the Community Development Department, told the City Commission on Wednesday, June 17. “We’ve got to bring those fees back up to full cost recovery.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to pass the changes.
“I just want to make it aware for the public, we’re raising it to what is equal to other communities that are surrounding us,” Commissioner Joe McHugh said.
Here’s where the new fees could impact everyday residents.
Home renovations and alterations
Residents will see permit and processing fee increases on:
- Fencing, garage doors, awnings, porches, patios
- Gutters, hurricane shutters, re-roofing
- Pools and hot tubs, with additional fees for electrical work
- A/C change-out, burglar alarms, fire alarms, heat pumps, EV chargers, water heaters
- Tree removal, code compliance and annual inspection, administrative fees
For example, if a resident needs to replace their roof and gutters, they would spend 60% more on city fees than they would before the price hike went into effect.
Inspections will also increase by $30 to $50, depending on the department, not including plan reviews or other administrative tasks required for larger projects.
Some costs did decrease with the move, including fees on new wooden deck installations.
Sports, activities see small increases
While Parks and Recreation programming was not among the worst offenders in this category, according to records, residents will see some cost increases.
Daily pool entry fees and most memberships will increase slightly, with one major exception. Family passes — now sold quarterly, with no annual option — rose from $54.34 to $148.19.
Camps increased by $2 to $5 per week for all age groups.
The cost of playing sports year-round may also increase, though the amount depends on how much of the increased costs organizations pass on to players and their families:
- Outdoor court and field rental prices were increased at varying rates, with the most significant ranging between $6 and $12 per hour.
- Indoor options saw a smaller jump, typically $2 to $5 per hour.
- The highest increase was for non-resident organized group events, a rate that jumped $30, to $138.78 per hour for those playing on turf football and soccer fields.
The city has also moved to formalize its recognized sports policy and fee structure already instituted with soccer programs:
- Recreation: Refer to sports policy, per player, per season, per sport
- Travel: 25% or $400, whichever is greater, per player, per season, per sport
Recognized sports programs do not have to pay additional field or court rental fees, and they get scheduling priority over other organizations.
Halls, recreation center meeting rooms and pavilions will also be more expensive to rent per hour, with an added administrative fee.
Other cost increases
Coral Springs Center for the Arts show attendees will pay a flat $6 surcharge per ticket, replacing a 25-cent fee and credit card processing charge.
Space and equipment rental prices also increased for those running shows and other events at the facility, though new discounts were created for nonprofits, Coral Springs public and charter schools, city employees, residents and local businesses.
Emergency services fee changes include $70 increases for basic and tier-1 advanced life support ambulances, but a $26 decrease for tier-2 ambulances.
Special event permits, required for larger gatherings such as markets and festivals, increased from $93.08 to $431.
What’s next?
New fees go into effect July 1. The full list of changes is available in the City Commission’s June 17 meeting agenda. The section begins on page 714.
Those with questions or concerns about the permitting process can contact the Community Development Department at zoning@coralsprings.gov or 954-344-1040.
Concerned residents and other stakeholders can contact commissioners via phone or email. More information is available at coralsprings.gov/CityCommission.
