S.F. No. 998 adds a new section of law to the municipal rights, powers, and duties chapter to allow an applicant for a permit, license, or other approval related to real estate development or construction, to request from the city a nonbinding estimate of fees to be charged by the consultant hired by the city to assist in reviewing the application. 

Before a city engages a consultant to review an application, permit, license, or other approval relating to real estate development or construction, the applicant may request from the city a written nonbinding estimate of fees based on the information available at that time.  If the applicant requests the estimate, the application is not complete until the city has: (1) provided the estimate to the applicant, (2) received the application fees, (3) received a signed acceptance from the applicant of the fee estimate, and (4) received a signed statement that the applicant has not relied on the estimate of fees in its decision to proceed with the final application. Prior to the city commencing review of a complete application, the city may require the applicant’s written acceptance of the actual fees to be charged by the city’s consultant.