(a) The requirements of this article apply to state agencies and to local agencies that own or operate subsurface installations, except as otherwise provided in Section 4216.1. A local agency that is required to provide the services described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 4216.3 may charge a fee in an amount sufficient to cover the cost of providing that service.
(b) A local agency that chooses to recover its costs via a fee shall consider whether the fee could deter an excavator from contacting the regional notification center.
(c) A local agency shall consider recouping its costs via existing permit fees instead of a separate fee related to responding to a ticket.
(d) A local agency shall consider not charging a fee to an excavator covered by Section 4216.8 to encourage the excavator to create a ticket as specified in subdivision (d) of Section 4216.2.