Planning Fee Rule Builder

Planning calculator

Translate a planning fee bylaw into a reusable calculation. Build a fee rule, calculate an estimate, test the result, and export the formula for Excel or Google Sheets.

How it works

The tool guides users through four steps: build, calculate, test, and export. Users start by entering a base fee and one or more variable fee rules, such as a charge based on gross floor area, floor area, lot area, units, lots, construction value, parking spaces, bedrooms, or a custom quantity.

Each rule can include a threshold, rate, rounding method, minimum fee, maximum additional fee, or maximum total fee. The tool then calculates the estimated fee, shows a plain-language breakdown, flags potential issues, and exports a reusable spreadsheet formula and saved JSON configuration. The tool also includes a sample Development Permit fee schedule so users can see how the calculation works before building their own.

When to use it

• Best used for building reusable fee calculations from planning fee bylaws, estimating fees based on measurable project inputs, and testing fee rules against known examples before using them in practice.
• Not used for interpreting bylaws, legislation, fee exemptions, statutory authority, or application eligibility; confirming final payable fees where separate at-cost charges may apply; or replacing finance review, intake review, professional judgement, or adopted local government procedures.
• Audience: Planners, planning technicians, local governments, planning consultants, developers, property owners, and planning students.

Notes and limits

• Assumption: The user has correctly entered the applicable fee rule, including the base fee, threshold, calculation basis, rate, cap, minimum, surcharge, discount, and at-cost items.
• Known constraint: The tool calculates from the values entered by the user and does not determine whether the correct application type, fee category, bylaw definition, exemption, or approval process has been selected.
• Edge case: Complex fee schedules with combined applications, cumulative thresholds, multiple caps, partial discounts, work-without-approval surcharges, or separate at-cost charges may require manual review before use.

Disclaimer

This tool is for general information only. It may contain errors or omissions. Use at your own discretion. No liability is accepted for decisions made based on this tool.

Related Tools

• Planning Fee Cost Recovery Calculator: Estimates whether a planning application fee is reasonably aligned with the estimated average cost of processing that application type under British Columbia’s Local Government Act.
• Variance Table Builder: Creates a clear variance table showing the bylaw requirement, applicant request, amount of variance, and percentage difference.