Title
Approval of Planning and Development and Fire Prevention User Fee Increases (Phoenix City Code, Chapter 9 and 15) - Citywide
Description
This report provides the Transportation, Infrastructure and Planning Subcommittee with information about proposed Planning and Development and Fire Prevention user fee increases and requests the subcommittee to recommend City Council adoption of the proposed amendments to Phoenix City Code, Chapter 9 and Chapter 15.
THIS ITEM IS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
Report
Summary
The Planning and Development Department (PDD) and Fire Department (FD) are essential partners in providing plan review and inspection services that protect the general public and emergency response personnel by ensuring adopted building-safety standards are upheld. The City’s plan review and inspection services are funded with user fees charged to customers that utilize these services. The cost to deliver these services has increased substantially since the last PDD and FD user fee updates took effect in 2010 and 2013, respectively. The Fire Department is in the process of amending the Phoenix Fire Code by the end of 2025, with the 2024 International Fire Code. This code establishes some new permit requirements that will need to be assessed to ensure user fee cost recover for the Fire Prevention Section. Finally, FD has experienced a significant increase in the number of businesses required to participate in the Special Hazards Annual Assessment Program. The FD Special Hazards Unit is responsible for administering the program, which is funded by an annual program fee that was last updated in 2003.
This proposal increases PDD and FD user fees up to 30 percent, updates the Fire Prevention Code to include fees associated with new permit requirements pursuant to the 2024 Phoenix Fire Code, and increases the Hazardous Annual Assessment Program fee to provide sufficient resources to meet growing demands.
PDD and FD user fees are derived from a fully loaded average hourly rate that was set at $150 per hour in 2010 and 2013, respectively. This proposal increases the hourly rate used by PDD and FD up to 30 percent, to $195 per hour. PDD and FD operational costs have increased substantially since user fees were last updated. The proposed fee increases are necessary to cover annual operating expenses at current service levels.
The Planning and Development Proposed Fee Schedule Amendment and Justification Report is available online at: www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/pdd/tools-resources/fees
The Fire Prevention Proposed Fee Schedule Amendment and Justification Report is available online at: www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/fire/safety-prevention
Concurrence/Previous Council Action
The proposal was presented to and approved the Development Advisory Board on October 30, 2025. It will be presented to the Fire Safety Advisory Board on November 13, 2025.
The Phoenix City Council will consider adoption of the 2024 Phoenix Fire Code at its Formal Meeting on December 17, 2025.
Public Outreach
A notice of intent (NOI) to consider this proposal was posted to the City’s website on October 17, 2025 in accordance with 13 ARS §9-499.15.
Link to NOI: https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/communications/public-notice-tax-fee-changes.html
PDD held two virtual listening sessions on November 12, 2025 and November 13, 2025.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays and the Fire Department and Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Planning and Development Department.