Transmittal - 4/21/2023ERIN MENDENHALL DEPARTMENT of COMMUNITY
Mayor and NEIGHBORHOODS
Blake Thomas
Director
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
451 SOUTH STATE STREET, ROOM 404 WWW.SLC.GOV
P.O. BOX 145486, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 84114-5486 TEL 801.535.6230 FAX 801.535.6005
CITY COUNCIL TRANSMITTAL
________________________ Date Received: _________________
Lisa Shaffer, Chief Administrative Officer Date sent to Council: _________________
______________________________________________________________________________
TO: Salt Lake City Council DATE: April 21, 2023
Darin Mano, Chair
FROM: Blake Thomas, Director, Department of Community & Neighborhoods
__________________________
SUBJECT: Dangerous and Boarded Buildings Permit Fee Increase
STAFF CONTACT: Ken Anderson, Chief Building Official, Building Services Division, 801-
535-6624, Kenneth.Anderson@slcgov.com
DOCUMENT TYPE: Ordinance
RECOMMENDATION: Approve an increase to the boarding permit fees based on City
Council’s Legislative Intent from November 2020 and adopt related code changes.
BUDGET IMPACT: None.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION: On November 17, 2020, the Council requested that the
Administration propose a change in boarded building fees to capture the City’s full cost of both
monitoring, boarding, and emergency services at those properties.
The intent was to increase boarding building fees to recuperate the City costs related to the
inspection and monitoring of dangerous and boarded buildings.
COST ANALYSIS & FINDINGS
The Finance Department conducted a cost analysis and found that each boarded building permit
costs the City a total of $22,537 annually between Civil Enforcement and emergency services
(i.e., Police and Fire). The City currently charges $902 for the initial year permit fee and $1,546
for subsequent years.
Lisa Shaffer (Apr 21, 2023 14:59 MDT)04/21/2023
04/21/2023
COLLECTION OF FEES
The City has some limitations in collecting fees. The City Attorney’s Office has advised that
Civil Enforcement refer fees to the Collections team in Finance, which collects fees through
Small Claims court. Small Claims court limits the amount sought to $15,000. It is the City’s
practice to submit a maximum of $14,000 for collection, which leaves room for court fees and
other costs to stay under the $15,000 threshold. Collection of these fees and the Small Claims
process is cumbersome, and the higher fees could result in more instances of non-payment,
placing a higher burden on Civil Enforcement and Finance staff. Any fees above $14,000 would
add staff time to the tracking and collection of the fees because amounts over $14,000 would
have to be submitted in multiple filings to the court.
PROPOSAL
Increase the Annual Fee
The proposal is to increase the annual fee up to $14,000. This would result in the recuperation of
approximately 62% of the actual City costs.
The current fee structure has an initial year fee and an annual fee for subsequent years. The
proposal is to amend the initial year fee and make it the same amount as the subsequent yearly
fee. The purpose of this proposed change is to simplify the process of tracking and collecting
unpaid fees.
Increase the Administrative fees
In addition to an increase in the annual boarding permit fees, this proposal requests an increase
the administrative cost fee and the late penalty fee.
The administrative cost fee is only charged when a City contractor performs boarding on private
property, and serves as an effective way to penalize those property owners who are not involved
in the boarding and maintenance of their property (See Exhibit A, Step 3). It is proposed to
increase the administrative cost fee from $129 to $500.
The late penalty fee is currently $25 for every thirty days in which the annual fees are not paid.
An increase to $100 for this fee is recommended.
Other proposed changes to the ordinance will further streamline the process of documenting and
maintaining boarded buildings. Instead of requiring a “permit to board,” we’ll require a property
owner to “register” their property as a boarded building and pay an annual registration fee.
PUBLIC PROCESS: TBD
EXHIBITS:
A. BOARDED BUILDING PROCESS GRAPHIC SHEET
B. ABANDONDED BUILDING COST ANALYSIS
C. ORDINANCE – TRACKED CHANGES
D. ORDINANCE – APPROVED AS TO FORM
EXHIBIT A: BOARDED BUILDING PROCESS GRAPHIC SHEET
VACANT/SECURE BUILDING
An unoccupied building having all openings, such as windows and doors, secured against entry,
where windows are fully glazed and the doors are secured by means of a lock. (Ord. 53-20, 2020)
BOARDED BUILDING*
A building in which accessible openings, such as windows and doors, are secured by a secondary
means against entry. Examples of securing a building by a secondary means includes, but is not
limited to, boarding and fencing.
DEFINITIONS
18.48.030
ORDINANCE
*ANNUAL FEES: IF A BUILDING MEETS THIS DEFINITION, THE PROPERTY OWNER IS REQUIRED TO PAY THE ANNUAL FEES.
*BOARDED BUILDING: A BUILDING IN WHICH ACCESSIBLE OPENINGS, SUCH AS WINDOWS AND DOORS, ARE SECURED BY A SECONDARY MEANS AGAINST
ENTRY. EXAMPLES OF SECURING A BUILDING BY A SECONDARY MEANS INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, BOARDING AND FENCING.
BOARDING PROCESS
COLLECTION OF ANNUAL FEES
If unpaid within 30 days, the unpaid amounts are
summited to Small Claims Court. Typically a judgment is
awarded for any unpaid fees.
BUILDING IDENTIFIED
Building inspected to determine status. If the status
is deemed Unsecured or Boarded Building* it will be
inspected monthly, until the building becomes occupied.
1 2
4 3
6
BOARDING REQUEST
Initial 10-day notice sent, requesting boarding or
securing of the building. If not completed within 10 days,
the City sends a contractor to board the property.
COST RECOVERY FOR BOARDING
Bill sent to property owner for contractor cost, plus
administrative fee. If unpaid within 30 days, the City
will place a lien on the property.
Contractor Cost: $500+
Administrative Fee: $129
Proposed Administrative Fee: $500
CONTINUED MONITORING
Property inspected monthly to monitor status. If the
status is deemed Unsecured the process restarts.
Annual Boarding Fee assessed for buildings that
remain boarded longer than 4 months
(start date based on the initial 10-day notice).
ANNUAL FEES
Bill sent to property owner for Annual Boarding Fees.
Initial Permit Fee (first year): $902
Annual Fee (after the first year): $1,546
Proposed Annual Fee (every year):
Up to $22,537 (recommended $14,000)
5
OVER 4 MONTHS
EXHIBIT B: ABANDONDED BUILDING COST ANALYSIS
SALT LAKE CITY CORPORATION
Community and Neighborhoods/Building Services/Civil Enforcement
COST JUSTIFICATION FOR ABANDONED BUILDING BOARD UP FEES
Dec‐21
Summary
Note 1: Replacement Cost and Maintenance on Fleet Vehicles 10,689$
Note 2: Unbilled General Fund Administrative Fees 40,587
Note 3: Unbilled CAN Administrative Costs 126,649
Note 4: Operating Costs 11,047
Note 5: Direct Labor and Unbilled Building Costs 185,973
Total Annual Expenditures 374,944$
Less Admin Fee Total Cost 10,629$
364,315$
Number of Fees Collected ‐ FY21 32
Annual cost per permit 11,385$
FY22 CFS Abandoned Buildings Annual Fees
Initial Year 849$
Subsequent years 1,456$
Annual fully loaded cost per permit exceeds CFS Rates. Cost justified.
Summary
Note 1:Replacement Cost and Maintenance on Fleet Vehicles
Depreciation Annual
Vehicle Period Depreciation
Count Est. Cost (months) Costs
10 vehicles 463,013$ 70.4 8,409$
Cost % to allocate
Annual maintenance costs 21,395$ 0.11 2,280
10,689$
(Cost data per Denise Sorenson ‐ Fleet)
Note 2: Unbilled General Fund Administrative Fees
$ Allocated Derived
Fees per FY2021 to Departments Percentage $$
All City Depts (except IMS)2,201,186$ 1.09% 23,986$
IMS Admin 1,160,682 1.09% 12,648
Risk Management 362,738 1.09% 3,953
Total Admin Fees 3,724,606$ 40,587$
Note 3: Unbilled CAN Administrative Costs
$ Allocated Derived
to Departments Percentage $$
CAN Administrative Costs ‐ FY2021 ‐ 0600100 915,588$ 1.09% 9,977$
Building Services Admin Costs ‐ FY2021 ‐ 06005000 382,424 30.51% 116,672
Total Administrative Costs 1,298,013$ 126,649$
CAN Dept General Fund FTE's 176
Building Services 59
Civil Enforcement Cost Center FTE's 18
% Civil Enforcement Performing Abandoned Building Duties 11%
% CAN Performing Abandoned Building Duties 1.09%
% Building Services performing Abandoned Buildings 3%
Note 4: Operating Costs
$ to be Derived
FY201X NonPersonal Services Operating Costs allocated Percentage $$
0601400 Civil Enforcement 103,679$ 11% 11,047$
11,047$
Note 5: Direct Labor and Unbilled Building Costs
Job Title Hours Spent per Year Annual Cost FTE Costs
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER II 33 89,373$ 0.02 1,816.0$
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT OFFICER I 2004 83,143.1 1.23 102,599
SENIOR CIVIL ENFORCEMENT INSPE 688 107,642.4 0.42 45,576
OFFICE FACILITATOR II NON UNIO 57 76,774.8 0.04 2,695
SENIOR SECRETARY 21 56,795.3 0.01 734
CIVIL ENFORCEMENT SUPERVISOR 87 113,211.8 0.05 6,065
BUILDING SERVICES MANAGER 174 135,513.4 0.11 14,520
HOUSING/ZONING LEGAL INVES UNI 51 117,329.6 0.03 3,685
Total Direct Salaries 174,005$
Unbilled Building Costs
est. 260 square feet per employee
$24 per square feet costs (per Prop Mgt) $6,240
Number of FTE 1.92 11,968
Total Direct Labor and Unbilled Building Costs 185,973$
Note 7: Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Information
CAN General Fund FTE's (FY22 Adopted Budget Staffing Document, Less 3 employees paid out of 1/4 cent Sales Tax Transportation Fund) 176
Building Services 59
Civil Enforcement Cost Center FTE's (per Civil Enforcement Manager)18
Note 8:Hours: 1,624 annual base hours was computed as follows:
Total Hours Available Annually (40 hours x 52 weeks)2,080
Less: Vacation (2.77 hours X 52 weeks or 3 weeks per year)144
Less: Sick (0.77 hours x 52 weeks or 1 week per year)40
Less: Breaks (260 days per year x 0.50 hours)130
Less: Holidays (8.0 hours x 12 days per year)96
Less: Meetings/ Training (estimate)46
Annual Work Hours Average FTE 1,624
FTE Equivalent Performing Abandoned Building Duties X 1.92
Total Annual FTE Hrs Equivalent 3,114
Note 9:% of costs allocated to Abandoned Buildings for Civil Enforcement (Cost Center) and for CAN (Department)
Total FTEs in CAN (Less 3 employees paid out of 1/4 cent Sales Tax Transportation Fund)176.00
TOTAL FTEs in Civil Enforcement 18.00
Time Study FTEs for Abandoned Buildings 1.92
% of Civil Enforcement working on Abandoned Buildings 11%
% of CAN working on Abandoned Buildings 1.09%
EXHIBIT C: ORDINANCE – TRACKED CHANGES
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. ___ of 2023
(Amending Chapter 18.48, Article II Related to Boarding or Temporarily Securing Buildings;
Amending the Consolidated Fee Scheduled Related to Boarding or Temporarily Securing
Buildings)
An ordinance amending Salt Lake City Code Chapter 18.48 Article II, and also amending
those portions of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule related to boarding or temporarily
securing buildings.
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2011 the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) adopted
Ordinances 2011-23, 2011-24 and 2011-25 to authorize and create the Salt Lake City
consolidated fee schedule; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update portions of the Salt Lake City Code
related to boarding or temporarily securing buildings , and to also update the corresponding
portions of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule;
WHEREAS, it is now proposed that the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule be
amended to update fees related to boarding or otherwise temporarily securing buildings as shown
in the attached Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds (i) the fees and fee information set forth in Exhibit A
is necessary, reasonable, and equitable in relation to regulatory and service costs incurred by the
City; and (ii) adoption of this ordinance reasonably furthers the health, safety, and general
welfare of the citizens of Salt Lake City.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.205 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.205: REGISTRATION:
A. Registration Required: Registration is required to board a building. In the case where the
city causes the boarding work to be done pursuant to Section 18.48.245, the city will register the
property on which the building is located and will bill the record owner the yearly registration
fee pursuant to Section 18.48.215 is not required to obtain a boarding permit.
B. Form Of PermitRegistration Process: Registration of a property on which a boarded
structure is located must be donePermits for boarding a building must be applied for on a form
provided by the building official or designee. The form shall specify the following:
1. The address of the structure to be boarded or temporarily secured;
2. The type of building;
3. For residential structures, the number of dwelling units;
4. For nonresidential buildings, the number of square feet of all building faces at ground
level;
5. The name, address, and telephone number of a person authorized to act as an agent for
the owner for performing the owner's obligations under this article, who lives within forty (40)
miles of Salt Lake City; and
6. Whether the property has the required external water source for landscaping, if
landscaping is required.
SECTION 2. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.210 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.210: RESERVEDINITIAL FEES:
For the first year of any boarding, at the time of filing the application, the applicant shall pay the
fees shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule for each structure.
SECTION 3. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.215 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.215: YEARLY REGISTRATION FEES:
A. Annual Fee: Upon registration and oOn or before each yearly anniversary of the date the
property was registered pursuant to this articleissuance of a boarding permit, a property owner
desiring to maintain a boarded building shall pay the annual boarding registration fee shown on
the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule.
B. Late Penalty Fee: A late feepenalty as shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee
schedule of twenty five dollars ($25.00) shall be assessed by the city for each thirty (30) days, or
any portion thereof, in which the boarding registrationannual fees have not been paid up to
amounts allowed by state law.
C. Failure tTo RegisterObtain Permit: Boarding a building before registeringobtaining a
permit pursuant to this article shall result in a fine of up to twenty five percent (25%) of the
boarding registration application fee specified in the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule.
D. Collection oOf Fees: If the property owner fails to pay either the initial
boardingregistration fees or the annual boarding fees , the city may take legal action to collect any
amounts owed.
SECTION 4. That the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule shall be, and hereby is,
amended, in pertinent part, to reflect the fees set forth in the attached Exhibit A, and that a copy
of the amended Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule shall be published on the official Salt
Lake City website.
SECTION 5. That a revised copy of the Salt Lake City Consolidated Fee Schedule that
reflects the amendments set forth in the attached Exhibit “A” shall be published on the official
Salt Lake City website.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah t his ___ day of ____________ 2023.
______________________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
_________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on ____________________________.
Mayor’s Action: _________ Approved. ____________ Vetoed.
_______________________________________
MAYOR
(SEAL)
Bill No. _______ of 2023.
Published: __________________
Ordinance amending boarded building code
and associated fees
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:___________________________
By: ____________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
EXHIBIT A
Service Fee Additional Information Section
Boarding and Abatement work
Boarding administrative costs $500 Plus actual costs 18.48.100
Boarding Registration Fee $6,000 Per Parcel 18.48.215
Late Penalty for Registration Fee Nonpayment $100 Per 30 days (or any partial month) until
paid
18.48.215
Other Abatement administrative costs $129 Plus actual costs for weeds abatement
and other abatement work.
18.48, 9.16,
21A.20
EXHIBIT D: ORDINANCE – APPROVED AS TO FORM
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. ___ of 2023
(Amending Chapter 18.48, Article II Related to Boarding or Temporarily Securing Buildings;
Amending the Consolidated Fee Scheduled Related to Boarding or Temporarily Securing
Buildings)
An ordinance amending Salt Lake City Code Chapter 18.48 Article II, and also amending
those portions of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule related to boarding or temporarily
securing buildings.
WHEREAS, on May 17, 2011 the Salt Lake City Council (“City Council”) adopted
Ordinances 2011-23, 2011-24 and 2011-25 to authorize and create the Salt Lake City
consolidated fee schedule; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to update portions of the Salt Lake City Code
related to boarding or temporarily securing buildings, and to also update the corresponding
portions of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule;
WHEREAS, it is now proposed that the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule be
amended to update fees related to boarding or otherwise temporarily securing buildings as shown
in the attached Exhibit A; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds (i) the fees and fee information set forth in Exhibit A
is necessary, reasonable, and equitable in relation to regulatory and service costs incurred by the
City; and (ii) adoption of this ordinance reasonably furthers the health, safety, and general
welfare of the citizens of Salt Lake City.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.205 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.205: REGISTRATION:
A. Registration Required: Registration is required to board a building. In the case
where the city causes the boarding work to be done pursuant to Section 18.48.245, the city will
register the property on which the building is located and will bill the record owner the yearly
registration fee pursuant to Section 18.48.215.
B. Registration Process: Registration of a property on which a boarded structure is
located must be done on a form provided by the building official or designee. The form shall
specify the following:
1. The address of the structure to be boarded or temporarily secured;
2. The type of building;
3. For residential structures, the number of dwelling units;
4. For nonresidential buildings, the number of square feet of all building faces at
ground level;
5. The name, address, and telephone number of a person authorized to act as an
agent for the owner for performing the owner's obligations under this article, who
lives within forty (40) miles of Salt Lake City; and
6. Whether the property has the required external water source for landscaping, if
landscaping is required.
SECTION 2. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.210 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.210: RESERVED
SECTION 3. That Salt Lake City Code Section 18.48.215 shall be, and hereby is,
amended to read as follows:
18.48.215: YEARLY REGISTRATION FEES:
A. Annual Fee: Upon registration and on each yearly anniversary of the date the
property was registered pursuant to this article, a property owner desiring to maintain a boarded
building shall pay the annual boarding registration fee shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated
fee schedule.
B. Late Penalty: A late penalty as shown on the Salt Lake City consolidated fee
schedule shall be assessed by the city for each thirty (30) days, or any portion thereof, in which
the boarding registration fees have not been paid up to amounts allowed by state law.
C. Failure to Register: Boarding a building before registering pursuant to this article
shall result in a fine of twenty five percent (25%) of the boarding registration fee specified in the
Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule.
D. Collection of Fees: If the property owner fails to pay the registration fees, the city
may take legal action to collect any amounts owed.
SECTION 4. That the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule shall be, and hereby is,
amended, in pertinent part, to reflect the fees set forth in the attached Exhibit A, and that a copy
of the amended Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule shall be published on the official Salt
Lake City website.
SECTION 5. That a revised copy of the Salt Lake City consolidated fee schedule that
reflects the amendments set forth in the attached Exhibit “A” shall be published on the official
Salt Lake City website.
SECTION 6. That this ordinance shall become effective on the date of its first
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this ___ day of ____________ 2023.
______________________________________
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
_________________________
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on ____________________________.
Mayor’s Action: _________ Approved. ____________ Vetoed.
_______________________________________
MAYOR
(SEAL)
Bill No. _______ of 2023.
Published: __________________
Ordinance amending boarded building code
and associated fees
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Salt Lake City Attorney’s Office
Date:___________________________
By: ____________________________
Katherine D. Pasker, Senior City Attorney
March 28, 2023
EXHIBIT A
Service Fee Additional Information Section
Boarding and Abatement work
Boarding administrative costs $500 Plus actual costs 18.48.100
Boarding Registration Fee $6,000 Per Parcel 18.48.215
Late Penalty for Registration Fee Nonpayment $100 Per 30 days (or any partial month) until
paid
18.48.215
Other Abatement administrative costs $129 Plus actual costs for weeds abatement
and other abatement work.
18.48, 9.16,
21A.20