Below are the steps and the potential associated fees for a typical building permit. Please note, "remove and replace" permits do not follow these steps or fee structure.
Building Permit Steps:
Step 1: Application
- Applications are processed within 24-72 hours of receipt by the building department. If applications are not submitted with all the required supplemental materials, this can delay the process. To learn what documents are needed for a particular permit, please click HERE to download a checklist.
Step 2: Security Deposit
- This is a refundable security deposit, which will be returned to the applicant once all inspections have been completed and the permit is closed. Applicants may not receive a full refund of the security deposit if there are outstanding fees.
- It can take 4-6 weeks to receive the refunded security deposit. All security deposit amounts can be found under the Building Permit Information webpage located HERE.
Step 3: HOA/Fire
- Based on the scope of the project, the Fire Department and/or Homeowners' Association (HOA) will be notified.
Step 4: Planning, Zoning, Safebuilt Plan, and/or Engineering Reviews
- Almost every project will require Planning, Zoning, and Safebuilt Building Reviews, which are completed simultaneously.
- Planning and Zoning Reviews: Assesses the project within the zoning conditions of the lot parcel. Applicants will receive an approval document with notes once the review process has been completed in the Community Core portal.
- Planning and Zoning Reviews can take 10-14 business days to complete.
- Every hour of planning and zoning review is $110.
- Safebuilt Building Review: Evaluates the project to ensure that the project meets the International Building Code (IBC) conditions. Applicants will receive an approval document with notes once the review process has been completed in the Community Core portal.
- Safebuilt Building Review can take 10-14 business days to complete.
- Every hour of Safebuilt building review is $110.
- Engineering Review: Some projects require an engineering review, which is completed by Gewalt Hamilton.
- Engineering reviews can take 10-14 business days to complete or longer, depending on the scope of the project.
- Fees will vary based on the scope of the project and review.
- Applicants will receive an approval document with notes once the review process has been completed in the Community Core portal.
- Planning and Zoning Reviews: Assesses the project within the zoning conditions of the lot parcel. Applicants will receive an approval document with notes once the review process has been completed in the Community Core portal.
Step 5: Fee Assessment and Payment
- Once all the Planning, Zoning, Safebuilt Plan, and, if applicable, Engineering reviews are completed, the applicant will receive an invoice for the actual hours of review that were completed on the project.
Step 6: Contractor Licensing Verification
- Some projects will require contractor licensing verification.
Step 7: Lake County Permit
- Based on the project, a Lake County Health Department Permit may need to be submitted.
Step 8: Permit Issuance
- Once all the above steps have been completed and the fees paid, the permit will be issued and sent to the applicant's email. The permit will also have a document of inspections that are required for the project.
Step 9: Inspections
- Applicants are responsible for scheduling all required inspections for the project.
Step 10: Permit Closed
- After all of the inspections have been completed, the permit can be closed. The security deposit refund will be processed. All refunds are issued by paper check to the person/business who paid the deposit.
- It can take 4-6 weeks to receive the refunded security deposit.
This is an example of a typical building permit process with associated fees and should not be taken as a guarantee.
Fees and steps may vary based on the scope of the permit project and review time.