Numerous permit fees set to increase in Cook County

When it comes to permits, it will cost Cook County property owners more money to start a project on their land.

The Cook County Land Services Department asked the county board to approve 2020 land use permit fees $50 for each size of tier of structures, as well as adjusting the costs to subdivide a property from $200 to $500. The permit fee increases were approved Aug. 25 during a meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

Additional fee increases involve various towers and vacation rentals in Cook County.

Click here for a complete list of the approved permit fee increases.

According to Cook County Land Services Director Tim Nelson, the listed fee increases still do not reflect the cost of the reviews required due to the complexities of the applications.

“These proposed fees try to maintain the balance between covering the costs of the reviews, and the desire to encourage people to obtain the proper permits by keeping the costs low,” Nelson said.

Nelson spoke with WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs about the fee increases for varying permits in Cook County. The audio below is their conversation.

Joe Friedrichs September 2, 2020