The state’s Construction Codes Advisory Council has formed a new technical advisory group (TAG) to study the issue of building permit overcharges by Minnesota. Nick Erickson, director of research and regulatory affairs for Housing First Minnesota has been appointed by CCAC to serve on the TAG.
Housing First Minnesota’s work has elevated this issue, which led to the formation of the TAG.
The building permit issue was first raised by Housing First Minnesota’s Housing Affordability Institute. In early 2019, building permit overcharges were featured in the Institute’s inaugural paper, Priced Out. Two stand-alone research releases on the topic have also outlined issues with the current permit fee system.
During both the 2020 and 2021 legislative sessions, Housing First Minnesota’s advocacy team has worked with lawmakers on solutions to this problem. Earlier this year, Housing First Minnesota filed suit against the cities of Corcoran and Dayton over their building permit overcollections.
Other TAG appointees include: Members of the Building Code TAG include Scott McKown and Karen Gridley, MN DLI; Irene Kao, Minnesota League of Minnesota Cities; Charlie Vander Aarde, Metro Cities; Brian Hoffman, City of St. Lous Park; Kurt Welker, Welker Custom Homes; Barry Greive, Target; Dana Murdoch, Univ. of Minnesota.
The TAG will also review other legislation expected to come up in the 2022 legislative session, including the Elkins Comprehensive Housing Affordability Act.
Dates for the TAG meeting have not yet been announced.
