Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, or mechanical system before obtaining the necessary permits shall be determined to be in violation of the adopted building code. A late or nonfiled building permit application fee, in addition to the building permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required herein, unless the building official determines that special circumstances exist which indicate a justifiable reason for the failure to obtain said permit. Upon such a finding, the building official may reduce the fee to an amount deemed reasonable based upon the circumstances. (Ord. 407-03 § 1, 2003)