Select Board did the same for commercial building permits

LANCASTER — A month after raising residential building permit fees, the Select Board did the same for commercial building permits. By a 3-0 vote on Monday, the board agreed to increase the permit fee for new commercial construction from $75 to $350 and for commercial renovation/additions from $15 to $75. The changes take effect Jan. 1, 2024. The fee increases were long overdue, town officials said. Before now, the town had processed building permits at a loss under the old pricing structure, which had not been increased for approximately 20 years while town administrative costs had soared. Increases to residential and commercial permit fees will cover the town’s administrative cost, estimated at $161.50 per permit, and bring Lancaster in line with surrounding towns.