Fort Erie proposing increase to building permit fees in January
December 3, 2025 at 3:44 AM
The administrative cost to build in Fort Erie could be going up next year.
Staff are proposing across-the-board increases of four per cent to its building permit fees for 2026. The proposal comes after what is expected to be a third consecutive year of funding shortfalls related to building permits.
“For 2025 we’re expecting a shortfall of approximately just under $34,000,” said Caleb Storring, senior building inspector for the town, at Monday night’s council-in-committee meeting.
That comes on the heels of shortfalls of $83,000 in 2024 and $422,000 in 2023. Storring’s report noted the two years previous saw building permit revenue exceed expenses by more than $1 million total.
Municipalities are allowed to recover the costs associated with enforcing the Building Code and related regulations through permit fees. When revenues exceed expenses the money is put into a reserve for years when that flips.
Even with the increases, building permit fees in Fort Erie are likely to remain lower than the regional average. However, Mayor Wayne Redekop did note one area where Fort Erie’s fees could go higher than the average.
“I noticed one of the few rates that is going to exceed the regional average is the residential construction. Is there a reason (for that)?” he asked.
Storring said that was simply the result of sticking to four per cent increases, and while the proposed $1.67 per square foot cost puts them two cents above the regional average, it leaves them well short of the regional high of $2.16 per square foot, which belongs to Niagara-on-the-Lake.
The averages could also increase given Storring was using existing 2025 numbers and other municipalities could be planning similar hikes.
For a standard single-detached build–in this case, Storring used a 2,000-square-foot house with 500-square-foot garage and 150-square-foot patio–the necessary permits would increase by $133, from $3,571 to $3,704.
Councillors will vote on the proposed increases at a meeting on December 15, and if approved, the new fees will go into effect on January 1, 2026.
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About The Author
Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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