The Building Commissioner is authorized to exercise discretion and approve refunds of fees paid for building permits in strict compliance with the following instances. Prior to issuing payment in such instances, the Finance Department shall be provided with a document authorizing the payment signed by the Building Commissioner or the Commissioner’s duly authorized deputy.
(A) All requests for cancellation and/or refund of permit and/or permit fees must be submitted in writing to the Village of Winthrop Harbor Building Department, on the Department’s refund form, verified by the requester under penalty of perjury. All requests must include a copy of the original permit and the reason why the cancellation and/or refund is being requested.
(B) All applications, including those claiming unusual circumstances, shall be reviewed and approved or rejected by the Building Commissioner on a case-by-case basis in the exercise of the Commissioner’s sound discretion. The Commissioner shall approve refunds only for good cause shown.
(C) All requests must be made by the person, firm, or corporation who paid the original permit fee(s).
(D) Any payment made shall be made to the person, firm or corporation who paid the original permit fee(s).
(E) No refunds shall be made when requested more than 180 days after the date of original payment.
(F) (1) Cancellation of a project or a change in the contractor or the transfer of ownership of the property while the permit is in effect does not constitute an appropriate request for refund.
(2) An administrative fee shall be deducted from the refund to reimburse the village for the cost of processing the permit and the refund. The administrative fee shall be 20% of the gross fee paid, but in no event less than $25 dollars.
(Ord. 2023-O-2, passed 1-17-23)