(A) No permit as required by the Building Code shall be issued until the fee described in this ordinance shall have been paid, nor shall an amendment to a permit be approved until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in estimated cost of the building or structure, shall have been paid.
(B) For a permit for the erection, alteration, or repair of any building or the construction of a parking lot, the fee shall be at the rate of $7.50 for the first $1,000.00 of estimated construction cost, $2.50 per $1,000.00 for all amounts up to $500,000.00, and $1.50 per $1,000.00 for all amounts above $500,000.00, in each case based upon the estimated cost as estimated by the Building Inspector, not to exceed the actual cost of the applicant.
(C) For a permit for wrecking or demolishing any building, the sum of $5.00 for a one story building and $10.00 for any other building or structure. For a permit for moving a structure, the sum of $10.00 if the building or structure is to be removed from the City, and in the event of moving from one point to another point within the City, the combined building and moving fee shall be charged at the rate of two-thirds of the amount which the building fee would be, based upon the estimated cost to construct a similar building. There shall also be a $50.00 license fee for the moving of the building or structure.
(D) In case of abandonment or discontinuance, the cost of work performed under a permit may be estimated and adjustment of the fee made and the portion of the fee for uncompleted work returned to the permit holder, provided that no refund of a prescribed minimum fee shall be made. If such discontinuance is due to revocation of a permit, a similar adjustment and return may be made; provided that no refund shall be made until all penalties incurred or imposed by due authority have been collected. After such a refund has been made no work shall be resumed until a new application has been made and a new permit has been issued.
(E) The term ESTIMATED COST as used in this section, means the reasonable value of all services, labor, materials, and use of scaffolding and other appliance devices entering into and necessary to the prosecution and completion of the work ready for occupancy; provided that the cost of excavation or grading, and of painting, decorating or other work that is merely for embellishment or not necessary for the safe and lawful use of the building or structure, is not deemed a part of such estimated cost.
(F) The fees for the permit above described shall not be charged to or collected from an applicant under the following circumstances:
(1) The work is being done for the use of a government entity, or for the use of a not-for-profit organization whose purposes are religious, educational, or charitable; or for the qualified improvements or qualified property within the Mt. Vernon Enterprise Zone;
(2) The applicant shall file a written declaration with the City that said fees have not been and will not be included in any payment to any contractor or other person.
(3) Such organization shall apply for and obtain all necessary permits and otherwise fully comply with the ordinances of the City, unless exempted therefrom by any law of the State of Illinois or of the United States.
(Prior Code, Art. 5, § 5.9)