Planning Fee Cost Recovery Calculator
Planning 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.
How it works
Enter the estimated average staff time, loaded hourly rates, direct costs, current fee, proposed fee, and optional annual application volume.
The tool calculates the estimated average processing cost, cost recovery percentage, subsidy amount, and any amount above estimated cost. It also compares current and proposed fees so local governments can test whether a fee is below, at, or above the estimated average cost.
When to use it
- Best used for planning fee bylaw reviews, application fee updates, internal cost recovery discussions, and comparing current fees against proposed fee scenarios.
- Not used for setting fees without legal and financial review, calculating the cost of a single unusual file, justifying profit, or replacing a local government’s statutory fee-setting process.
- Audience: local government planners, planning managers, finance staff, consultants, and elected officials reviewing planning application fees.
Notes and limits
- Fees under section 462(2) of the Local Government Act must not exceed the estimated average costs of processing, inspection, advertising, and administration.
- The tool depends on user-entered assumptions, including loaded hourly rates, average file complexity, staff roles, direct costs, and annual application volume.
- Costs should reflect what is usually related to that class of application, not rare or exceptional files.
- Separately recovered costs should not be double-counted.
- Peer review, legal review, land title registration, and similar costs may need separate review depending on how the local government recovers them.
- A fee below estimated average cost may represent a policy subsidy from the broader tax base.
- A fee above estimated average cost should be reviewed before being used in a fee bylaw.
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 Rule Builder: 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.
- Planning Buildable Envelope Calculator: estimates a basic buildable area after applying setbacks, lot coverage, and site constraints.