Cape Charles Raises Fire Department Surcharge on Building Permits to 25%

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — Building permits in Cape Charles will carry a higher fire department surcharge after the Town Council approved increasing the fee from 10% to 25%, with the additional revenue intended to help support equipment and apparatus purchases.

The surcharge is applied to all Building Department permits issued by the town.

Cape Charles established the surcharge about 20 years ago, initially setting it at 10% of building permit fees. Under the existing distribution formula, 80% of the money collected is distributed quarterly to the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company, while the remaining 20% goes to Northampton County Fire & Rescue to support neighboring volunteer fire departments that provide mutual aid within Cape Charles.

The increase follows a discussion during the council’s Aug. 5 work session, when members reviewed the town’s Building, Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule.

During that meeting, council members reached a consensus to increase the surcharge to 25% to provide additional financial support for fire department equipment and apparatus purchases.

The change means the fire surcharge paid by property owners, contractors and developers when obtaining building permits will increase substantially. For example, a permit carrying a $1,000 base fee would have generated a $100 fire surcharge under the previous 10% rate. At 25%, the surcharge would be $250, bringing the total cost in that example to $1,250.

The surcharge provides a funding mechanism tied to building activity in Cape Charles while also supporting fire departments that may be called into town through mutual-aid agreements.

The majority of the revenue will continue to benefit the Cape Charles Volunteer Fire Company under the town’s established distribution formula, with a portion supporting neighboring departments that assist Cape Charles during fires and other emergencies.

The increase comes as the town reviews fees associated with building, planning and zoning services and as the fire department faces the ongoing expense of maintaining and replacing firefighting equipment and apparatus.

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Wayne Creed

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