City To Start Requiring Deposit Fee For Building Permit Applications

CHICAGO (CBS) -- Effective the first business day of the year, the Chicago Department of Buildings will begin requiring a 50 percent fee with all building permit applications.

The department says the deposit is required to defray the costs the department assumes by reviewing and approving plans that never end up getting permits, as well as to discourage people from submitting plans for projects before they have financing.

As it is now, fees are not charged until the end of the process, when applicants pick up the permits, the department said. Hundreds of time per year, applicants never finish the required process or do not pay.

"Our plan examiners spend time and effort reviewing all drawings that are submitted," of Buildings Department Commissioner Michael Merchant said in a news release. "Reviewing plans that never complete the permit process forces other projects to wait longer for their permit times."

With the deposit to discourage plans that aren't serious, projects will move along quicker, Merchant said.