Belvedere ditches construction fines for steep up-front fees

Belvedere is changing the way it penalizes homeowners for dragging out construction projects, ditching retroactive fines after a project is complete in favor of steep up-front fees for time extensions.

Under the revised construction-time-limit ordinance approved with a 4-0 City Council vote April 8, by the time a third extension is required, a homeowner would have to make their case directly to the council and face a five-fold increase in fees to reactivate their permit.

Councilmember Jim Lynch was absent. A routine second vote of formal adoption is scheduled for May 13, with the rules taking effect 30 days later, on June 12.

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