(a) The district board may adopt, by regulation, a schedule of fees which will yield a sum not exceeding the estimated cost of the administration of this article and for the filing of applications for variances or to revoke or modify variances. All applicants shall pay the fees required by the schedule, including, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 6103 of the Government Code, an applicant that is a publicly owned public utility.
(b) All such fees shall be paid to the district treasurer to the credit of the district.