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A. Application/Plan review fee. When submittal of documents is required, a plan review fee shall be assessed per Table V.

B. Permit fee. A permit shall not be valid until the permit and construction documents have been approved and the fees prescribed in this section have been paid. Amendment to a permit shall not be released until the additional fee, where applicable, has been paid.

C. Determination of valuation. The valuation used to determine permit and plan review fees shall be generated from national statistical averages as found in “Building Standards” or similar source for the type of construction and the type of occupancy.

1. The determination of value or valuation under any of the provisions of this code shall be made by the building official and/or fire marshal.

D. Generally, fees should be adopted at a level sufficient to cover costs associated with processing permit applications, conducting review and inspections required by this chapter, issuing permits, and providing related services, as set by city council. Consistent with the intent of this code section, the building official and fire marshal are authorized to make adjustments to categories of fees provided such adjusted fees do not exceed those adopted by this section or as authorized by city council as part of a development agreement.

E. January 1st of each year. Building- and fire-related permit and plan review fees shall be adjusted annually pursuant to the methodology set forth in VMC 3.08.100. Each such newly adjusted fee shall be rounded to the next higher whole dollar.

F. Building- and fire-related permit and plan review fees shall be reviewed periodically to ensure that they accurately reflect the current cost of providing services.

G. The following tables contain all building- and fire-related fees unless otherwise authorized by city council as part of a development agreement:

1. Table I. Building permit fees. When work for which a permit is required involves two or more codes, the permit holder shall pay a single permit fee of one and six-tenths times the fee set forth herein.

Table I. Building Permit Fees

Valuation

Permit Fees

July 2022

$1 to $500

$30.09

$501 to $2,000

$30.09 for the first $500 plus $3.90 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof up to and including $2,000

$2,001 to $25,000

$88.69 for the first $2,000 plus $17.93 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $25,000

$25,001 to $50,000

$501.51 for the first $25,000 plus $12.92 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $50,000

$50,001.00 to $100,000.00

$824.89 for the first $50,000 plus $8.96 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $100,000

$100,001 to $500,000

$1,272.73 for the first $100,000 plus $7.15 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $500,000

$500,001 to $1,000,000

$4,135.15 for the first $500,000 plus $6.08 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof

$1,000,001 and up

$7,177.65 for the first $1,000,000 plus $4.03 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof

Manufactured Structures Setup Fee

$184.45 per section, with a minimum fee of $368.90 per permit. (This fee is in addition to the valuation-based fee for the site improvements required in additional to the setup fee.)

Footnote:

1For commercial and multifamily residential permits, an additional fee per Table IV.1, Fire – Building Permit Fees, shall be added to the amounts listed in Table I, Building Permit Fees, to cover actual costs relating to fire department acceptance inspection work.

2. Table II. Electrical Permit Fees.

Table II. Electrical Permit Fees

Fees are per each item to be installed or altered.

July 2022

Electrical Permit Items (1)

Residential

Placement or Altered Service (2)

Electrical Service 0 – 200 Amps With Feeder

$85.80

Electrical Service 201 – 600 Amps With Feeder

$125.51

Electrical Service 601 Amps and Greater

$188.94

Mobile Home Service or Feeder

$61.46

Mobile Home Service and Feeder

$101.17

Additional Feeders (2)

$61.46

Branch Circuits (4)

1 – 4 Circuits

$61.46

Each Additional Circuit

$7.05

Maintenance/Repair Mast or Meter (3)

$46.74

Commercial Industrial

New or Altered Service/Feeder (5, 6, 7)

0 – 100 Amps

$101.17

101 – 200 Amps

$122.96

201 – 400 Amps

$235.67

401 – 600 Amps

$287.67

601 – 800 Amps

$356.08

801 – 1000 Amps

$434.20

1001 Amps and Over

$473.91

Additional Feeders (6)

0 – 200 Amps

$101.17

201 – 600 Amps

$235.67

601 – 1000 Amps

$356.08

1001 Amps and Over

$395.13

Maintenance Repair Mast or Meter 1

$85.80

Branch Circuits Only (4)

First 5 Circuits per Branch Circuit Panel

$78.14

Each Additional Circuit per Branch Circuit Panel

$7.05

Over 600 Volts Surcharge Per Permit

$78.14

Temporary Service (8)

0 – 200 Amps With Feeder

$76.84

201 – 400 Amps With Feeder

$93.51

401 – 600 Amps With Feeder

$125.51

601 Amps and Over

$142.18

Each Additional Feeder

$27.53

Low Voltage/Telecommunications (9)

First 2500 Square Feet or Less

$54.28

Each Additional 2500 Square Feet or Portion Thereof

$14.73

Signs and Outline Lighting (10, 11)

First Sign (no service included)

$46.74

Each Additional Sign Inspected at Same Time

$22.41

Generators (12)

Installed Transfer for Portable Generators

$85.48

Electrical Annual Permit for Commercial Industrial Location (13)

1 to 3 Plant Electricians (up to 6 Inspections)

$1,130.69

1 to 3 Plant Electricians (up to 12 Inspections)

$2,261.36

4 to 6 Plant Electricians (up to 24 Inspections)

$4,526.48

7 to 12 Plant Electricians (up to 36 Inspections)

$6,787.31

13 to 35 Plant Electricians (up to 52 Inspections)

$9,050.60

25+ Plant Electricians (up to 75 Inspections)

$11,314.53

Trip Fees – Rounded to Nearest Whole Dollar

Inspection Requested but Not Ready

$48.00

Each Additional Inspection Over 2 Per Permit

$48.00

Inspection of Existing Installation

$94.00

Progress Inspections Per 1/2 Hour (Minimum)

$48.00

Plan Review

35% of permit fee plus submission fee

Plan Review Submission Fee

$78.74

Permit of Record

$31.00

Minimum Fee (14)

$76.84

Footnotes:

1A maximum of two inspections are provided per permit. Additional inspections will be subject to trip fee assessment.

2Service and feed must be inspected together when using this fee. Inspections at different times requires a $60.00 fee for each inspection.

3Scope of work is limited to wind, weather, vehicular or terminal failure damage to existing systems. May also include the repair or replacement of the mast, meter and conductors up to the first point of termination on the service or building disconnecting means. Relocated meters or masts and overhead-underground conversions shall be evaluated as altered services.

4Altered or added circuits calculated per panelboard.

5Service and feed must be inspected together when using this fee. Inspections at different times requires the service fee plus additional fee calculated commercial additional feeders fee.

6All field-installed power transformers that are the source of a separately derived system shall have both their primary and secondary feeds identified/fee-valued. All multi-section lighting and appliance branch circuit panelboards shall have each section evaluated/fee-valued. All feeder taps that terminate in an overcurrent device rated 30 amps or larger shall be identified/fee-valued.

7Multiple section switch boards that have continuous, full ampacity bussing between sections shall be fee-valued as single feeders. Switchboard subsections that have reduced ampacity bussing and individual overcurrent protection for the section shall be evaluated as additional feeders.

8Service and feed must be inspected together when using this fee. Inspections at different times requires an additional fee per the service and fee schedule.

9Low voltage and telecommunications systems includes all telecommunication systems, fire alarms, burglar alarms, nurse call, intercom, security systems, energy management controls, HVAC/refrigeration control, industrial and automation control systems, lighting controls, stand alone sound systems, public address and similar low-energy circuits and equipment in all occupancy except one- and two-family dwellings as regulated by the International Residential Code. Multiple low-voltage systems installed by a single contractor at a single address and ready for a single inspection may be fee-valued at one fee.

10Service or feeder equipment installed exclusively to power a sign shall be fee-valued at the commercial industrial service fee schedule.

11Multiple sign faces and enclosures mounted on the same structure, each disconnecting means or set of disconnects to a separate enclosure shall be considered an individual sign. For outline lighting, neon channel letters and skeletal neon lighting, a sign will be defined as the sign transformer or power supply fed by a primary sign circuit.

12Permanently installed generators shall be fee-valued under the appropriate residential or commercial service/feeder schedule.

13For commercial and industrial location employing full-time electrical maintenance staff or having a yearly maintenance contract with a licensed electrical contractor. All yearly maintenance contracts must detail the number of contract electricians necessary to do the work required under the contract. This number will be used for calculating the fees. Each inspection is based on a two-hour maximum. Annual permits are valid for inspection at one facility (site) only.

14The electrical permit fee shall be the calculated fee per the fee table or the minimum fee, whichever is greater, except trip fees which will be calculated from the fee schedule.

3. Table III. Mechanical Permit Fees.

Table III. Mechanical Permit Fees

Fees are per each item to be installed or altered.

July 2022

Mechanical Permit Item (1)

Heating and Cooling

A/C or Heat Pump

$14.07

Furnace < 100,000 BTU (ducts/vents)

$14.07

Furnace > 100,000 BTU (ducts/vents)

$18.57

Gas Heat Pump

$14.07

Duct Work

$14.07

Hydronic Hot Water System

$14.07

Residential Boiler (Radiator or Hydronic)

$14.07

Unit Heater (Recessed, Suspended, etc.)

$14.07

Flue or Vent for Heating/Cooling

$14.07

Other Fuel Appliances

Water Heater

$14.07

Gas Fireplace

$14.07

Flue Vent for Water Heater or Gas Fireplace

$14.07

Log Lighter (Gas)

$14.07

Wood/Pellet Stove

$14.07

Wood Fireplace/Insert

$14.07

Chimney/Liner/Flue/Vent

$14.07

Environmental Exhaust and Ventilation

Range Hood or Kitchen Equipment

$14.07

Clothes Dryer Exhaust

$14.07

Single Duct Exhaust

$14.07

Attic/Crawl Space Fan

$14.07

Fuel Piping

Fuel Piping: 1 – 4 Outlets

$5.75

Fuel Piping: More Than 4 Outlets, Each

$1.28

Mechanical Annual Permit for Commercial Industrial Locations (4)

1 to 3 Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 6 Inspections)

$1,130.69

1 to 3 Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 12 Inspections)

$2,261.36

4 to 6 Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 24 Inspections)

$4,526.48

7 to 12 Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 36 Inspections)

$6,787.31

13 to 35 Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 52 Inspections)

$9,050.61

25+ Plant Mechanical Technicians (up to 75 Inspections)

$11,314.52

Plan Review Fee

35% of permit fee plus submission fee

Plan Review Submission Fee

$78.74

Other (2)

Minimum Fee: Gas Water Heater (3)

$65.95

Minimum Fee: All Others

$76.84

Trip Fees - Rounded to Nearest Whole Dollar

Inspection Requested but Not Ready

$48.00

Each Additional Inspection Over 2 Per Permit

$48.00

Inspection of Existing Installation

$94.00

Progress Inspections Per 1/2 Hour (Minimum)

$48.00

Minimum Fee (2)

$76.84

Footnotes:

1A maximum of two inspections are provided with each permit. Additional inspections will be assessed a trip fee.

2The mechanical permit fee shall be the calculated fee per the fee table or the minimum fee, whichever is greater.

3For replacement in like kind, requiring no new power/fuel source or venting system.

4For commercial and industrial location employing full-time mechanical maintenance staff or having a yearly maintenance contract with a licensed mechanical contractor. All yearly maintenance contracts must detail the number of contract mechanical technicians necessary to do the work required under the contract. This number will be used for calculating the fees. Each inspection is based on a two-hour maximum. Annual permits are valid for inspection at one facility (site) only.

4. Table IV. Plumbing Permit Fees.

Table IV. Plumbing Permit Fees

Fees are per each item to be installed or altered.

July 2022

Plumbing Item (1)

Site Utilities

Catch Basin

$14.73

Drywell, Leach Line, Trench Drain

$14.73

Manufactured Home Utilities

$95.97

Manholes

$14.73

Rain Drain Connector

$14.73

Footing Drain (1st 100 feet)

$48.00

Footing Drain (Each Additional 100 Feet)

$40.33

Sanitary Service (1st 100 feet)

$48.00

Sanitary Service (Each Additional 100 Feet)

$40.33

Storm Service (1st 100 Feet)

$48.00

Storm Service (Each Additional 100 Feet)

$40.33

Water Service (1st 100 Feet)

$48.00

Water Service (Each Additional 100 Feet)

$40.33

Fixture or Item

Absorption Value

$14.73

Backflow Preventer: Commercial

$40.33

Backflow Preventer: Residential

$23.70

Backwater Valve

$14.73

Clothes Washer

$14.73

Dishwasher

$14.73

Drinking Fountain

$14.73

Ejectors/Sump Pump

$14.73

Expansion Tank

$14.73

Fixture/Sewer Cap

$14.73

Floor Drain/Floor Sink/Hub

$14.73

Garbage Disposal

$14.73

Hose Bib

$14.73

Ice Maker

$14.73

Interceptor/Grease Trap

$14.73

Primer

$14.73

Rain Drain: Commercial

$14.73

Rain Drain: Single-Family Residential

$57.01

Sink/Basin/Lavatory

$14.73

Tub/Shower/Shower Pan

$14.73

Urinal

$14.73

Water Closet

$14.73

Water Heater

$14.73

Medical Gas Systems (Valuation)

$1.00 – $5,000 Valuation

$65.21

$5,001 – $10,000 Valuation

$65.21 plus $1.28 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof over $5,000

$10,001 and Over Valuation

$71.62 plus $1.28 for each $1,000 or fraction thereof over $10,000

Other (2)

Minimum Fee: Electrical Water Heater

$65.95

Minimum Fee: Residential Backflow

$65.95

Minimum Fee: All Other

$76.84

Plumbing Annual Permit for Commercial Industrial Locations (3)

1 to 3 Plant Plumbers (up to 6 Inspections)

$1,130.69

1 to 3 Plant Plumbers Technicians (up to 12 Inspections)

$2,261.36

4 to 6 Plant Plumbers (up to 24 Inspections)

$4,526.48

7 to 12 Plant Plumbers (up to 36 Inspections)

$6,787.31

13 to 35 Plant Plumbers (up to 52 Inspections)

$9,050.60

25+ Plant Plumbers (up to 75 Inspections)

$11,314.53

Plan Review Fee

35% of permit fee plus submission fee

Plan Review Submission Fee

$78.74

Trip Fees - Rounded to Nearest Whole Dollar

Inspection Requested but Not Ready

$48.00

Each Additional Inspection Over 2 per Permit

$48.00

Inspection of Existing Installation

$94.00

Progress Inspections Per 1/2 Hour (Minimum)

$48.00

Minimum Fee (2)

$76.84

Footnotes:

1A maximum of two inspections are provided with the permit. Additional inspections will be assessed a trip fee.

2The plumbing permit fee shall be the calculated fee per the fee table or the minimum fee, whichever is greater.

3For commercial and industrial location employing full-time plumbing maintenance staff or having a yearly maintenance contract with a licensed plumbing contractor. All yearly maintenance contracts must detail the number of contract plumbers necessary to do the work required under the contract. This number will be used for calculating the fees. Each inspection is based on a two-hour maximum. Annual permits are valid for inspection at one facility (site) only.

4.1. Table IV.1. These fees apply to multifamily residential and commercial building permits for approval and acceptance by the Vancouver fire marshal’s office.

July 2022 Fees

Valuation

Permit Fees

$1.00 to $500.00

$13.89

$501.00 to $2,000

$13.89 for the first $500.00 plus $0.36 for each additional $100.00 or fraction thereof up to and including $2,000

$2,001 to $25,000

$19.25 for the first $2,000 plus $1.38 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $25,000

$25,001 to $50,000

$51.24 for the first $25,000 plus $1.04 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $50,000

$50,001 to $100,000

$77.08 for the first $50,000 plus $0.67 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $100,000

$100,001 to $500,000

$111.52 for the first $100,000 plus $0.61 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $500,000

$500,001 to $1,000,000

$356.43 for the first $500,000 plus $0.57 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof up to and including $1,000,000

$1,000,001 and Up

$637.08 for the first $1,000,000 plus $0.36 for each additional $1,000 or fraction thereof

Manufactured Structures Setup Fee

$13.89 per section, with a minimum fee of $27.79 per permit

5. Table V. Plan review fees. When submittal documents are required by this code, a plan review fee pursuant to Table V shall be paid at the time of submitting the submittal documents for plan review. The plan review fees specified in Table V are separate fees from the permit fees specified in this section and are in addition to the permit fees.

Table V. Plan Review Fees

Review

Fee

Building Plan Review

65% of building permit fee (100% for fast track review)

Single Permit Plan Review

50% of single permit fee (77% for fast track review)

Fire Plan Review

(Commercial and Multifamily Permits Only)

65% of the fire building permit fee

Mechanical or Plumbing Plan Review

35% of permit fee

Electrical Plan Review

35% of permit fee plus submission fee

6. Table VI. Grading and erosion control permit and plan review fees.

Table VI. Grading and Erosion Control Permit and Plan Review Fees

Building – Grading and Erosion Control

July 2022

Plan Review Fee

Permit Fee

10 to 50 c.y.

$30.09

51 to 100 c.y.

$30.09

$47.38

101 to 1,000 c.y.

Base Fee

$47.38

$47.38

Plus Fee per 100 c.y. (or Fraction Thereof)

$22.41

1,001 to 10,000 c.y.

Base Fee

$63.09

$249.12

Plus Fee per 1,000 c.y. (or Fraction Thereof)

$18.57

10,001 to 100,000 c.y.

Base Fee for First 10,000 c.y.

$63.09

$416.27

Plus Fee per 10,000 c.y. (or Fraction Thereof)

$31.37

$84.55

100,001 to 200,000 c.y.

Base Fee for First 100,000 c.y.

$345.51

$1,177.09

Plus Fee per 10,000 c.y. (or Fraction Thereof)

$16.96

$46.74

200,001 c.y. or More

Base Fee for First 200,000 c.y.

$515.23

Use 100,001 above

Plus Fee per 10,000 c.y. (or Fraction Thereof)

$9.30

Use 100,001 above

7. Table VII. Fire Protection System Fees.

Table VII. Fire Fees

No.

Activity

July 2022

Base Fee

Per Head or Device

FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEMS AND COMPONENTS

1.

Fire Pumps (each pump)

a) Review

$298.87

b) Inspection

$803.70

2.

Stand Pipes (each stand pipe)

a) Review

$111.94

b) Inspection

$224.99

3.

Underground Fire Service (each lateral)

a) Review

$79.47

b) Inspection

$224.99

4.

Fire Sprinklers (each system)

a) Review

$240.66

$2.40

b) Inspection

$240.66

$3.98

A.

Fire Sprinkler Tenant Improvements:

Category 1: Affidavit 1 to 10 heads:

(Limited to arm-overs and drops with a head location diagram for inspection reference)

a) Review

b) Inspection

$79.47

Category 2: Affidavit 11 to 20 heads:

(Limited to arm-overs and drops in a light hazard occupancy with a head location diagram for inspection reference)

a) Review

b) Inspection

$161.19

Category 3: Fire sprinkler system alterations that involve only changing heads of the same performance characteristics and minor adjustments to drop lengths:

a) Review

b) Inspections

$161.19

$2.40

Category 4: Fire sprinkler system alterations or additions that don’t fall under Category 1, 2, or 3: (With full plans)

a) Review

$79.47

$0.77

b) Inspections

$161.19

$2.40

B.

Dry Pipe, Antifreeze, Preaction (each in addition to fire sprinkler system)

a) Review

$111.94

b) Inspection

$224.99

5.

Clean Agent System (CO2, FM-200, Inergen, etc.)

a) Review

$400.73

b) Inspection

$563.04

6.

Commercial Cooking Hood and Duct Protection (per new system)

a) Review

$288.79

b) Inspection

$193.64

Commercial Cooking Hood and Duct Protection Minor Revisions (Permit not required if modification is limited to normal maintenance, replacing or reconfiguring heads and no increase in flow points used.) Applicant to notify fire marshal’s office of location and extent of work.

a) Review

b) Inspection

7.

Fire Alarm Systems - Minor (additions, no new panel, up to 10 devices)

Category 1: Affidavit 1 to 4 devices (limited to spot smoke or heat detectors, horn/strobes, strobes, horns, mini-horns, manual pull stations or one communication device)

Category 1: Affidavit 1 to 4 devices (limited to spot smoke or heat detectors, horn/strobes, strobes, horns, mini-horns, manual pull stations or one communication device)

a) Review

No review fees for fire alarms – minor per ordinance

b) Inspections

$139.92

Category 2: Modifications of up to 10 devices not qualifying for affidavit (e.g., additions, no new panel)

a) Review

$79.47

$3.21

b) Inspections

$161.19

$8.06

8.

Fire Alarm Systems - Major (new panel or 11+ devices, central station)

a) Review

$240.66

$3.21

b) Inspection

$240.66

$8.06

OTHER PERMITS

9.

Underground Tank Demolition (each tank)

a) Review

b) Inspection

$27.99

10.

Smoke Control Systems (up to 3 shafts)

(Up to 3 shafts)

Each add’l shaft

a) Review

$482.44

$161.19

b) Inspections

$962.65

$321.25

Other Smoke Control (atriums, malls, others)

a) Review

$482.44

$161.19

b) Inspections

$962.65

$321.25

TRIP FEES1

11.

Trip Fee Assessment

$59.33

Footnotes:

1 Trip fees are intended to recover actual costs and may be assessed where the requested inspections are for work that is not ready for inspection, the work is not accessible for inspection, or the appropriate personnel or documentation is not on site.

8. Other inspection and service fees.

a. Other inspections outside of the normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) shall be a minimum fee of $296.00 per inspector providing a maximum of two hours of inspection per trip. Additional consecutive hours of inspection are $148.00 per hour per inspector. Inspector is defined as a building inspector, electrical inspector and/or a deputy fire marshal.

b. Reinspection fees when required shall be $148.00 per hour, with a minimum of $74.00 per inspection.

c. Inspections for which no fee is established shall be $148.00 per hour, with a minimum of $74.00 per inspection.

d. Additional plan review time required due to changes or revisions to already approved construction documents and plans shall be calculated at $148.00 per hour, but shall not exceed an amount equal to the original plan check fee. Major revisions to construction documents or plans after approval or during plan review shall require a new plan review fee.

e. There shall be a $31.00 issuance fee added for each permit identified in Tables I (Building Permit Fees), VI (Grading and Erosion Control Permit and Plan Review Fees), and VII (Fire Fees).

f. Permit fees not clearly defined by this section, or fees that are found by the building official and/or fire code official to be inequitable using a valuation base, shall be determined by the building official and/or fire code official by using a rational cost-of-service analysis. Fee determinations in such cases shall be made available to the public and disseminated to the applicable segments of the construction industry for use in future such cases.

g. Expiration date extension fee. A fee of $40.00 shall be assessed to process a permit expiration date extension request for CMI and RES permits. A fee of $26.00 shall be assessed to process expiration date extension requests for other permit types covered under this title.

h. Fee refunds. Requests for fee refunds must be made in writing by the permit holder. Fees assessed under this chapter that are less than $222.00 will be retained by the city as a nonrefundable administrative processing fee unless the building official or fire code official determines that fees assessed and collected as a result of an error by the city. The building official and/or fire code official may authorize refund of a fee paid as follows:

i. Refunding of not more than 80 percent of the permit fee paid when no work has commenced under a permit issued in accordance with this code.

ii. Authorize refunding of not more than 80 percent of the plan review fee paid when an application for a permit for which a plan review fee has been paid is withdrawn or canceled before any examination time has been expended.

iii. There shall be no refunding of any fee paid except upon written application filed by the original applicant not later than 180 days after the date of fee payment.

i. Reinspection/Trip Fees. A reinspection/trip fee may be assessed for each inspection or reinspection when such portion of work for which inspection is called for is not complete or when corrections called for are not made.

i. Reinspection/trip fees are designed to discourage the practice of calling for inspections before the job is ready for such inspection or reinspection.

ii. Reinspection/trip fees may also be assessed under the following circumstances:

A. When the inspection record card and permit are not posted or otherwise available on the work site.

B. When approved plans are not readily available to the inspector for failure to provide access on the date the inspection is scheduled.

C. When there is deviation from the approved plans.

D. When required corrections have not been completed upon request for reinspection.

E. When the cost per hour of inspection or reinspection has exceeded the permit fee paid. A minimum of three inspections per category are allowed for all “single permit fee” permits.

iii. The permit holder or their designated agent shall pay the required fee as set forth in the fee schedule and noted in the reinspection/trip fee notice.

iv. In instances where reinspection/trip fees have been assessed, additional inspection of the work will not be performed until the required fee has been paid.

v. Reinspection/trip fees will be assessed on electrical, plumbing and mechanical permits where the number of requested inspections exceeds two. Reinspection fees may be assessed on all other permits where the number of requested inspections in a required inspection category exceeds three. See VMC 17.08.090(G) for limited trade reinspection fee requirements.

j. Work commencing before permit issuance. Any person who commences any work on a building, structure, electrical, gas, mechanical, plumbing system, fire sprinkler, fire alarm system and/or other fire code permits before obtaining the necessary permits shall be subject to an investigation fee established by the building official and/or fire code official in addition to the required fees as set forth in this code.

i. The investigation fee for work commencing before permit issuance shall be the same as the required permit fees contained in the fee tables.

ii. The investigation fee shall be paid prior to or at the time of the permit issuance.

iii. The payment of the investigation fee shall not exempt an applicant from compliance with all provisions of this code or other applicable laws.

iv. Such investigation fees may be in addition to any other penalty assessed under VMC Title 22. (Ord. M-4407 § 5, 2023; ACM dated 1/9/2023, CPI Increase; Amended during 7/22 update; Ord. M-4376 § 7, 2022; Ord. M-4363 § 6, 2022; ACM dated 12/28/2021, CPI Increase; ACM dated 11/30/2020, CPI-increase; Ord. M-4318 § 1, 2020; ACM dated 12/19/2019, CPI Increase; Ord. M-4247 § 3, 2018; ACM dated 12/12/2018, CPI Increase; ACM dated 11/7/2018, CPI Increase; ACM dated 12/19/2017, CPI Increase; ACM dated 11/23/2016, CPI Increase; Ord. M-4165 § 4, 2016; ACM dated 12/31/2015, CPI Increase; Ord. M-4079 § 11, 2014; ACM dated 1/1/2014, CPI Increase; Ord. M-4052 § 7, 2013; Ord. M-4034 § 40, 2012; Ord. M-4013 § 1, 2012; ACM dated 1/4/2012, CPI Increase; ACM dated 12/1/2010, CPI Increase per 17.08.130; Ord. M-3958 § 14, 2010; ACM dated 12/14/2009, Calculation Error In Table I; Ord. M-3932 § 1, 2009; Ord. M-3895 § 1, 2008; Ord. M-3883 § 1, 2008; Ord. M-3863 § 9, 2008; Ord. M-3748 § 1, 2006; Ord. M-3660 § 4, 2004)