A. Investigation. Whenever any work for which a permit is required by this code has been commenced without first obtaining said permit, a special investigation shall be made before a permit may be issued for such work.

B. Fee. An investigation fee, in addition to the permit fee, shall be collected whether or not a permit is then or subsequently issued. The investigation fee shall be equal to the amount of the permit fee required by this code. The minimum investigation fee shall be the same as the minimum fee set forth in the resolution adopting fees for permit issued pursuant to this chapter. This fee is an additional, punitive fee and shall not apply to any permit fee that may subsequently be issued. Payment of the investigative fee does not vest the illegal work with any legitimacy, nor does it establish any right to a permit for continued development of that project. If the work done remains illegal for ninety (90) days after service of the stop work order, it shall be considered hazardous.

C. Payment. The payment of such investigation fee shall not exempt any person from compliance with all other provisions of this code nor from any penalty prescribed by law. (Ord. 3025, 5/23/23; Ord. 2172, 7/27/04; Ord. 2073, 7/23/02)