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First Reading and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance Approving a Fee Schedule for the Neighborhood Services Department of the Village of Oak Park
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Introduction
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This item is requesting adoption of a 2027 Neighborhood Services consolidated fee schedule for housing and inspection fees and special event and filming permits.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• ORD 26-170: First Reading and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance Repealing and Replacing Chapter 30 (“Special Events”) of the Village Code
• ORD 26-175: First Reading and Possible Adoption of an Ordinance Amending Chapter 7 (“Buildings”) of the Oak Park Village Code by Repealing and Replacing Article 10 (“Vacant Buildings”)
• RES 26-148: A Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2026 Special Events Fee Schedule
• ORD 25-154: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 12 ("Housing"), Article 2 ("Residential Rental License") And Article 6 ("Residential Tenant And Landlord Ordinance"), Section 4 ("Rental Agreements") And Section 11 ("Security Deposits") And Amending Chapter 13 ("Human Rights"), Article 5 ("Unlawful Management Practices"), Section 1 ("Unlawful Management Practices; Regulations") as reviewed by the Village Board at its June 17, 2025 study session
• ORD 21-54: An Ordinance Amending Chapter 8 ("Business Licensing") of the Oak Park Village Code by Adding a New Article 40 ("Short-Term Rentals") RES 26-148: A Resolution Approving and Adopting the 2026 Special Events Fee Schedule
Background
The Neighborhood Services Department is proposing to move the identification and listing of its fees from inside individual ordinances to an annually adopted fee schedule. This ordinance would adopt that fee schedule for 2027.
This change will allow staff to review the fee structure annually and make changes as needed. Several fee amounts relating to housing and inspections have not been updated since 2016, and short-term rental fees have not changed since the ordinance was adopted in 2022. Special Event fees have often been adopted in February, making it challenging for event organizers to plan for costs.
Timing Considerations
The resolution is intended to take effect for the 2027 fiscal year beginning January 1, 2027.
Financial Impact
The submitted 2027 budget request reflects the fees in this ordinance.
This includes a slight increase in Small Rental Dwelling License fee. Staff is recommending this increase after reviewing the administrative cost associated with the annual licensing process. In 2025, such administration cost the Village approximately $23,000 while collecting less than $3,890. This increase is intended to move the Village toward better costs coverage for its administrative work.
Currently the Village does not charge an application fee for film permits. In alignment with the recently adopted changes to the Special Events Ordinance, staff is proposing the creation of a Film Permit Application Fee of $100 which is the same costs for Special Events permit applications. This new fee will allow the Village to offset the cost of reviewing film permit requests. Staff anticipates that this will bring in $2,000 in revenue in 2027.
The proposed Special Event fee reductions and incentives are estimated to reduce annual revenue by approximately $13,300, with an additional undetermined reduction associated with incentives for new events. These measures advance the same objective as the previously approved special-events grant program, by reducing costs for organizers and encouraging community events while avoiding the expenditure and administrative requirements of a separate grant program.
Most Special Event fees remain unchanged for 2027, with only Public Works costs increasing due to rising staffing costs.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The fees for Special Events and Filming are part of the larger revision in the Special Events process by the Village throughout 2026. This includes changes to improve equitable access to the Special Events process by establishing clearer, more consistent, and more transparent requirements for all applicants. Fee reductions and incentives for new events may reduce financial barriers for smaller, nonprofit, and community-based organizations that have fewer resources to support event costs.
The fees for Nuisance Properties are part of the implementation of the Village’s new code amendments that will improve building conditions for residents. No changes are proposed in most multi-family licensing and registration fees. The slight proposed increase in the Small Rental Dwelling License Fee could be passed along to tenants.
Community Input
This item has not been reviewed by a committee or commission.
Staff Recommendation
Staff is recommending that the Board adopt the ordinance.
Advantages:
• All department-related fees will be listed in one place, providing clarity & consistency for residents, property owners, event organizers, and Village staff.
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this decision.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board could choose not to adopt the fee schedule.
Advantages:
• Allows additional time for the Board to consider the change.
Disadvantages:
• If the Board chooses to not adopt the fee schedule, then it should also not adopt the ordinance amending various portions of the Village Code to refer to the annually adopted fee schedule.
Anticipated Future Actions
In tandem with this item, the Board will review an ordinance amending various portions of the Village Code to facilitate the new process of an annual fee ordinance for Neighborhood Services.
Prepared By: Charlotte Kenny, Budget & Revenue Analyst, Neighborhood Services
Reviewed By: Jonathan Burch, Assistant Village Manager / Neighborhood Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Draft Ordinance