Construction Cost Evaluation
Consistent with the California Building Code (Section 109.3), the City of Belvedere requires an estimated value of construction at the time of building permit application and at the end of construction.
Permit valuations should reflect the total value of work for which the permit is being issued, including but not limited to all materials and labor, site work, foundation, framing, finish work, painting, roofing, electrical, plumbing, heating, air conditioning, elevators, sprinkler systems, any permanent equipment, irrigation, and lighting systems associated with landscaping, and all design, engineering, and architectural services.
Like all city fees, Belvedere's building fees are designed not to exceed the reasonable cost of providing the associated service or impact. Accurately documenting the total value of construction projects allows the City to recover the building department costs associated with specific projects.
Pre-Construction Evaluation
Belvedere requires an estimated value of construction at the time of the building permit application. If, in the opinion of the building official, the valuation is underestimated on the application, the permit will be denied unless the applicant can show detailed estimates to meet the building official's approval. The building official sets the final building permit valuation.
Post-Construction Evaluation
The City of Belvedere requires a final cost evaluation at the conclusion of all construction projects. Prior to, and as a condition of Final Building approval, a Construction Final Cost Evaluation Statement is required to account for the final value of all completed work. This is the value the City uses to compute final permit fees and it is also the final construction value submitted to the County as required to close-out the Building Permit.
If the City determines that a resubmitted valuation does not conform with the level and extent of construction that occurred, the building official can require more information, including contracts, detailed estimates, or a third-party project cost estimate at the property owner’s expense. This procedure applies to assessing the initial estimated permit value as well as the post-construction valuation.