Daily Code Talk #8 – IMC Section 108: Fees

🧠 Plain English Breakdown•108.1 Payment: No permit (or amendment) is valid until all fees are paid.•108.2 Fee schedule: Use the AHJ’s published fee schedule—don’t guess.•108.3 Valuation: Declare a real, total value (labor + materials + equipment/permanent systems). If it looks low, the AHJ can deny or adjust and request backup.•108.4 Early start: Beginning work before the permit = penalty fee in addition to permit fees.•108.5 Related fees: Permit fee doesn’t cover everything—plan review, tech surcharges, re-inspection, impact fees may apply.•108.6 Refunds: Refund policy is AHJ-specific; assume limited refunds once processing begins.🏗️ Why It Matters in Design & ConstructionFees and valuation drive cash flow and approval timing. Understate and you risk delays/adjustments; start early and you pay penalties and strain AHJ rapport. Include every expected fee in the project budget — not just the permit fee — so owners and GCs aren’t surprised at issuance or closeout.🔧 Field TipAttach a 1-page valuation sheet with your application: major equipment (qty/capacity), duct/pipe takeoffs, controls, labor assumptions, vendor quotes, your declared total, and a line for other jurisdictional fees. If costs rise later, amend early. And don’t mobilize until the permit is issued.If you want your next submittal to move through review quickly and smoothly, comment “READY” and I’ll send a 5-minute permit readiness check.