Proposal would increase fees on rental housing providers by up to 117%
The California Apartment Association is pushing back on the Sacramento Fire Department’s proposal to increase annual fire prevention inspection fees for rental housing providers.
If approved, the proposal would increase the fees apartment owners pay each year by between 71% and 117%, depending on building size.
Proposed fire inspection fee increases
The Sacramento Fire Department is proposing significant hikes to annual fire inspection fees for apartment buildings. The table below compares current and proposed rates by property size.
| Property size | Current fee | Proposed fee |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment 3–15 units – Self Certification | $51 | $108 |
| Apartment 16–30 units | $274 | $481 |
| Apartment 31–60 units | $357 | $625 |
| Apartment 61–100 units | $442 | $769 |
| Apartment 101–150 units | $524 | $908 |
| Apartment 151–200 units | $611 | $1,057 |
| Apartment 201–250 units | $696 | $1,201 |
| Apartment 251–300 units | $781 | $1,345 |
| Apartment 301–350 units | $781 | $1,345 |
| Apartment 351–400 units | $865 | $1,489 |
| Apartment 401–450 units | $950 | $1,633 |
| Apartment 451–500 units | $1,036 | $1,777 |
| Apartment 501+ units | $1,036 | $1,921 |
The proposed increases come at the request of the city manager’s office, which asked departments to raise revenue to help close Sacramento’s current $62.2 million budget gap.
CAA has formed a broad coalition of business organizations to press for budget solutions that don’t shift the burden to property owners and Sacramento’s small business community. The coalition sent this letter to the city outlining their objections to the proposal.
“At a time when the city should be focused on increasing affordable housing, they’re instead asking housing providers—and the backbone of our economy, small businesses—to bear the brunt of a massive budget deficit,” said Matt McDonald, CAA’s vice president of public affairs in Sacramento. “In the coming weeks, CAA will ask members to share how this fee hike is unfair and out of line. With your voices, we can make an impact.”
CAA members will be encouraged to contact their council members and voice opposition to the proposal before the May 20 City Council meeting, when the item is expected to be discussed.
