Fees for Zoning Permits in the City of Concord

The Concord Development Code requires all permit applications to be accompanied by applicable fees as established by the city council in the master fees and charges schedule. Specific fee amounts are not listed in the Development Code, and applicants must consult the current city fee schedule or the planning division to determine the precise costs for their specific project.

Application Fee Requirements

All applications for planning permits, including those for minor exceptions, variances, use permits, and design and site review, must be accompanied by the fees required by the City of Concord [Section 18.405.030]. Processing of any application will not commence until all required fees and deposits have been fully paid [Section 18.405.030].

Specific Fee Contexts

• Tree Permits: Tree permit applications must be accompanied by the required application fees as set forth in the city's fee schedule [Section 18.310.030].
• Master Sign Programs: Applications for sign plans and master sign programs must include payment of all applicable fees in accordance with the City of Concord fee schedule [Section 18.180.050].
• Administrative Permits: Applications for administrative permits must be accompanied by all applicable fees as determined by the city's current fee schedule [Section 18.420.040].
• Minor Exceptions and Variances: Applications for minor exceptions and variances must be accompanied by all applicable fees in accordance with the city's currently adopted fee schedule [Section 18.425.040, Section 18.430.040].
• In-Lieu Parking Fees: In the Downtown Pedestrian (DP) and Downtown Mixed-Use (DMX) districts, the planning commission may allow the parking requirement to be satisfied by payment of an in-lieu fee. The amount of the in-lieu fee is calculated and paid as set forth in the City of Concord fee schedule [Section 18.160.060].

Fee Waivers and Deferrals

While application fees are generally mandatory, the Concord Development Code allows for specific adjustments in certain contexts:

• Political Signs: Political signs exceeding 32 square feet require a building permit, but this is categorized as a "no-fee" building permit [Section 18.180.070].
• Affordable Housing: The city council may approve a reduction or waiver of certain requirements for residential projects receiving assistance from the City of Concord, such as fee waivers for projects involving land assemblage or other direct city assistance [Section 18.185.050]. Additionally, the city manager or designee may authorize the deferral of development fees for affordable housing projects, provided the terms and payment schedule are incorporated into an affordable housing agreement [Section 18.185.060].

Sections Cited

• Section 18.160.060 (Parking requirements for the DP and DMX districts)
• Section 18.180.050 (Sign plans)
• Section 18.180.070 (Exempt signs)
• Section 18.185.050 (Density bonus program)
• Section 18.185.060 (Affordable housing incentive program)
• Section 18.310.030 (Application)
• Section 18.405.030 (General application requirements)
• Section 18.420.040 (Application)
• Section 18.425.040 (Application)
• Section 18.430.040 (Application)