Title
title
First Reading and Potential Adoption to amend the 2027 Building and Construction Permit Fees of the Village of Oak Park
..end
Introduction
overview
This is a first reading and potential adoption of the 2027 Building Construction Permit Fee and Zoning Application Fee Schedule.
end
body
Recommended Action
Adopt the Ordinance.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior action(s):
• February 24, 2026 the fee schedule was modified.
• September 30, 2025 the 2026 version was adopted.
• Since 2016, the Village Board has approved the annual fee increase annually.
• In April 2015, the Village Board adopted a new streamlined fee schedule.
Background
The annual fee schedule is required to be updated and reviewed each year with the last one being approved in September of 2025 which took effect January 1, 2026. At the time when this was presented there was an outstanding RFP in place for elevator inspections. The resulting agreement with Thompson Elevator doubled the inspection fee charged to the Village. Therefore, the fee scheduled needed to be amended accordingly. The Village Board had also adopted credits for sustainability initiatives that also need to be officially adopted into the fee schedule. These modifications were also added and adopted in February of 2026 update.
In April 2015, the Village Board approved a new fee schedule that streamlined the establishment of permit fees. The permit fee schedule is based on the premise that the fees should reflect the actual cost of providing services to the public. The fees were established utilizing a pro rata share for larger projects and a fixed fee for certain types of smaller permits.
Since that adoption, construction methods and technology continue to evolve and there is a need to adjust fees accordingly. Staff is proposing a 3% permit increase to the existing multipliers used to establish permit fees. In addition, in the past there have only been two categories where a project was categorized; it was either considered new construction or a remodel. It has been determined that this categorization unfairly burdens businesses and homeowners. Staff has also created a new ‘middle’ category for projects that do not necessarily fit into the “new construction” category nor into the smaller “simple remodel” category. The Village’s standard plan review fees have been crafted to be more in line with current procedures and with external third-party plan reviews.
Timing Considerations
Current fee schedules expire at the end of this year and it takes six weeks to integrate updated fees into the Village’s software and test their integration.
Financial Impact
Permit fees are generally updated to allow for inflation. Fees are also corrected when they are found to be out of line with industry standards. Fee schedules are also updated to include new fees associated with new technologies and updated code provisions.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
There is no DEI impact associated with this item.
Community Input
There has been no community input given in relation to this item.
Staff Recommendation
Approve the updated fee schedule.
Advantages:
• The revised schedule is in in line with the fees being based on the actual cost and the changing build environment
• The new fee schedule also shows all the applicable fees and credits in one area instead of having to search different areas
Disadvantages:
• If not adopted, fees cannot be charged as of January 1, 2027.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can extend the 2026 Fee schedule as written.
Advantages:
• Fees would still be able to be charged as is until a new schedule is approved.
Disadvantages:
• Fees would not be based on changing marketplace and needs.
Anticipated Future Actions
There are no anticipated future actions in relation until the next annual review.
Prepared By: Sean Lintow Sr, Chief Building Official
Reviewed By: Craig Failor, Development Services Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Ordinance
2. ICC Square Foot Construction Cost Chart
3. 2027 Schedule of Water Service Cost and Fees
4. Construction Fee Sheet (Redline)
5. Construction Fee Sheet (Printable Version)