Oak Park adopts 3% increases to building-permit, zoning and business-license fees

The Village Board approved two ordinances to update the village fee schedules: one amending annual building and construction permit fees and zoning application fees, and a second amending the business-license fee schedule. Both measures reflect a 3% across-the-board increase and were approved at first reading with the second reading waived.

Development Services staff introduced the building fee changes and said updates included reorganized fee schedules, changes to temporary-occupancy and deposit amounts, an excessive-rescheduling fee and minimums for required inspections. Staff also noted updated charts for building valuation and water-service meter fees.

On business licenses, staff explained that the 3% increase is intended to meet rising administrative costs; renewals are sent to roughly 1,800 businesses, and current compliance is about 75%. Administrative staff said Village practice includes up to three notices and field follow-up, with marquee enforcement steps available (fines and adjudication) for businesses that remain noncompliant.

Trustees asked whether professional offices could be charged or registered (professional offices are regulated by the state), whether the village could incentivize decarbonization work (credits rather than fee waivers for heat pumps or EV chargers), and about revenue expectations. Staff said business-license revenue is currently budgeted at about $75,000 and that a 3% increase would raise revenue only if compliance improves.

Both ordinances passed on roll-call votes with trustees recorded as voting yes.