CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending fees for work completed without a permit (requires six positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Allison Laff, AICP, Deputy Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
Not required.
BACKGROUND:
At the November 5, 2019 meeting, City Council directed staff to prepare an ordinance increasing the fees which are assessed for work completed without a permit. This direction was provided following discussion of a fence extension completed without a permit, as well as several other recent cases for work without a permit that have been reviewed by the City Council.
DISCUSSION:
Section 109.4 of Title 5 currently establishes fees for work completed without a permit; this section was amended in 2018 to require that a fee of $500 (at minimum) is collected for any work completed without a permit.
Based on several cases that have recently been reviewed by the City Council for work completed without a permit, City Council noted that the current fine structure is not effectively deterring illegal work. Staff has researched the fine structures of surrounding communities (results below) and finds that the City's current fine structure is higher than most.
Municipality
Fines For Work Without a Permit
Downers Grove
Double Permit Fee
Lisle
Double Permit Fee
Woodridge
$75
Bolingbrook
$75 minimum fee; $1,000 maximum fee
Plainfield
Double Permit Fees; $300 minimum
Wheaton
Homeowners: $100 minimum + Court Fees; Contractors: $200 minimum + Court Fees
Orland Park
Homeowners: $150 + Double Permit Fee; Contractors: $750 + Double Permit Fee
Under the current fee structure, staff has assessed $1,000 fees for work completed without a permit and these fees have been paid without complaint. Accordingly, in order to serve as a stronger deterrent, staff recommends amending Section 109.4 (Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance) of Section 5-1...
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