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JACKSON – Following a closed session discussion on Feb. 3, the Northampton Board of Commissioners approved a change to the county’s non-residential building permit fee rate. The previous flat rate was changed to a tiered schedule depending on total project cost.

In the past, the fee rate had been $4 per $1,000 of proposed project contract cost. The newly approved changes split the fee into three different tiers.

The new rates are as follows: $0.30 per $1,000 for projects totaling over $3 million; $0.25 per $1,000 for projects between $1 million to $3 million; and $0.20 per $1,000 for projects between $1,000 to $1 million.

The change will take effect immediately.

According to County Attorney Scott McKellar, the decision to make the change was an economic one.

“After initial study of neighboring jurisdictions, the Board determined this change would allow a more competitive economic advantage,” he explained. “The approach will allow Northampton County to become more compatible with surrounding counties without compromising growth in small to large development.”

Commissioner Kelvin Edwards motioned to approve the new rates, and Commissioner Nicole Boone seconded. The vote was unanimously in favor.

This change only affects permits for non-residential building projects.