Except as otherwise provided by law, whenever any work or use for which a permit is required by a county ordinance has been commenced without first obtaining the permit, a special investigation shall be made before the permit may be issued. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee.
(1966 Code, § 19-9) (Ord. 567, § 1(part))