Danbury's building permit fees may rise within the next few months, but how much they might rise, and who Danbury competes with for commercial or residential development is the question.

Building Inspector Leo Null presented a proposal to members of the City Council at City Council subcommittee meeting Tuesday, and he had been instructed by Finance Director David St. Hilaire to compare Danbury's permit costs to those of other state cities.

Bobby Acronti, a city council member, questioned that approach, saying Danbury doesn't compete with a city like Waterbury for commercial or residential construction.

"I want to know how competitive we are with the towns around us," Arconti said. "If I'm building in western Connecticut, I'm not going to look at Waterbury or Bridgeport."

Null said he understood that, but he also said Danbury and the other cities in Connecticut see plans for larger and taller buildings, and the review of those structures is more complex and expensive than the reviews of single family homes.

Null said he would compare whatever the council asked him to compare.

"I want the city of Danbury to be the most competitive place to build in this area," Arconti said. "I want any business looking to locate in western Connecticut to come to Danbury. All I care about is what the towns around us are doing."

The committee agreed it needed more information, and Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton suggested the city speak to the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities, and ask that organization to compare building permit fees in Danbury with those of towns and cities.