The Burr Ridge Village Board unanimously approved fee increases Monday , including a 33 percent hike for a permit for new home construction.
The move is to generate more revenue for the village and bring the community’s building fees more in line with what is charged in other communities, officials said.
“It is a 33 percent increase but we are still one of the lowest of comparable villages,” community development director Doug Pollock said.
The village’s fee for building a home of more than 8,000 square feet is increasing from $8,100 to $10,773. There is also an additional fee for every square foot beyond 8,000 that will rise from 70 cents to 93 cents.
Village figures show that most towns charge in the $11,000 to $13,000 range for similar homes and go as high as $32,120 in north suburban Glencoe.
Oak Brook charges $11,005; Elmhurst gets $11,946 for permits on similar single-family homes.
Building fees will also be going up for home additions and non-residential developments. The fee for home additions will go up between $400 and $700 depending on the size of the addition. The charge for building nonresidential structures will increase 25 percent.
The building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical reviews for an 80,001-cubic foot nonresidential building will go from $2,260 to $3,390.
“We are still at the bottom of comparable villages,” Pollock said.
Permits for fences and other minor construction will remain at $50, despite that not covering the cost of staff time to address such issues, according to the village’s community development director.
“Permits have been kept artificially low for some time,” Pollock said. “What is going on with the property is the issue.”
Village officials said by keeping the permit fees low it gets people to come into the village offices to get a permit and ensures that building codes are being met. They said higher fees could lead to people failing to get permits for work in order to try and save a buck.
Pollock estimated that village staff time costs $5,000 to $10,000 more annually than the village collects in smaller permit fees, but felt the slight deficit is worth it to ensure residents follow the permitting process.
“I agree with resident permits being kept artificially low,” said Trustee Guy Franzese. “It is important that they apply for permits.”
Changes to the building code fees include:
* Landscaping plan review fees for non-single family residences going from $100 to $300 for lots of 3.5 acres or less; from $165 to $250 for lots greater than 3.5 acres and less than 6 acres; and from $335 to $500 for lots larger than 6 acres.
* Home additions fees from 1,001 to 2,000 square feet going from $1,225 to $1,629, plus the fee for every square foot over 1,000 going from 90 cents to $1.20; and additions of 2,001 to 3,000 square feet going from $2,125 to $2,826, plus the fee for every square foot over 2,000 going from 80 cents to $1.06.
* Building plan reviews for 60,001- to 80,000-cubic feet nonresidential structures going from $706 to $1,413.
* Inspection fees, including plumbing, mechanical and electrical, for a 30,000-square-foot building going from $13,200 to $19,500.
* Engineering permit fee for a new single-family residence going from $350 to $450.
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press
