Public Hearing Notice: 

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Columbia County Commissioners will hold a public hearing during this regular scheduled meeting to hear public testimony in favor, opposition, or neutral for the proposed Building Code Fee Increase for FY 25/26.

A. The fee increase will be for all specialty codes and program areas, including Structural, Mechanical,
Plumbing, Electrical, Manufactured Dwellings, Manufactured Structures, Manufactured Home, and RV
Parks/Camps, Master Permit Electrical program, Building Site Development Fees, Grading, and all non-building
programs affected by the fee increase for the Land Use Planning Program and On-Site Programs.

B. Per Columbia County Board Order No. 44-2023 (attached), based on the annual average CPI-U West
Index (not seasonally adjusted) for the prior calendar year, our fees will be increasing by 2.8% beginning.
September 1, 2024, and rounded up to the nearest dollar.

C. The effective date of the new fees will be September 1, 2025.

D. The effective date of our last fee increase was July 1, 2024.

E. With the attached Board Order No. 44-2023, a municipal hearing was held on August 23, 2023, and fees
are to be adjusted annually on July 1st of each year. For FY 25/26, new or adjusted fees, a municipal
hearing is scheduled for August 13, 10:00 AM at the John Gumm Building and Civic Center, 251 St. Helens Street, St. Helens, Oregon 97051. As a hybrid option, a virtual meeting with an agenda will be available
at the following link 2-5 days prior: www.columbiacountyor.gov/meetings

F. If you have any questions regarding the proposed fee increase, please get in touch with Suzie Dahl at 503-397-
7242 or Email: suzie.dahl@columbiacountyor.gov 

G. The proposed fee changes are necessary to offset the inflationary increase in program costs, to build a
fund balance reserve, to maintain our current levels of permit, plan review, and inspection services, and a need
to better align cost recovery and long-term financial goals.

Dated this 5th day of August 2025

For the Board of Commissioners 

Columbia Oregon

s/Jacyn Normine, Administrator

County Commissioners Office