Request a Refund for a Permit or Application

If you no longer need a permit or application, or we made a clerical error, and you meet the eligibility requirements, you can request a partial refund of the permit cost.

Eligibility

Refund eligibility is based on the type of application.

Right-of-Way applications

Written refund requests must be submitted within sixty (60) days of permit issuance and construction must not have commenced for applicant to be eligible receive a refund of the original permit fees (not including the base application fee which is not refundable). Refunds will be processed at the discretion of the Administrator or their designee.

Building Permit applications

Written refund requests must be submitted within 60 days of permit issuance and construction must not have commenced. The applicant will receive a refund of 50% of the original permit fees (not including radon and landscaping fees, which are non-refundable). Refunds are not issued for fees $100 or less, with the exception of clerical errors resulting in overpayment. Clerical errors are eligible for a refund of 100% of the overpayment amount. Written request must submitted within one year from the date of the occurrence.

Zoning applications

Refund amounts will be calculated based on the processing stage the application has reached when the withdraw request is received in writing as outlined in DRPM Section 2.4.

Site and Subdivision applications

Any application that is withdrawn within three (3) business days of submittal shall be entitled to a 75% refund. Refunds for any application that is withdrawn after three (3) business days of submittal will be processed at the discretion of the Administrator or their designee.

Mobility/Impact fees

• Reason for refund request should be listed as one of the following: 
• Grandfathering - Paid mobility should have been assessed Transportation/ROW
• Paid in Error - Should have used offset account (Notarized assignment letter necessary)
• Overcharged/Incorrect Assessment (Non-grandfathering)
• Permit modified/changed after fees were paid
• Permit Canceled - refunding fees paid
• Other (provide explanation)

Natural Resources applications

Refunds for tree removal, LAL, and NRO applications will be processed at the discretion of the Manager of Natural Resource Review.

Things to consider

• Landscaping fees are non-refundable
• We only issue refunds:
  • If the amount is $100 or more for building permits, unless it is an overpayment amount due to clerical error
  • To the business or person that issued the original check or the authorized user named on the credit card
• Refunds will be processed as expeditiously as possible, however please understand that in some cases it may take up to 45 days from when the complete request is received to process a refund.

How to

1. Gather permit number, receipt and payment type information
2. Complete the refund request form
   • Printable refund request form
   • Fillable* refund request form
3. Submit the application via email:
   • Building Permitting – permitting@hcfl.gov
   • Right of Way – campbellma@hcfl.gov
   • Site & Subdivision Applications – siteplanadmintasks@hcfl.gov
   • Zoning Applications – zoningintake-dsd@hcfl.gov
   • Contractor Licensing – licensing@hcfl.gov
   • Natural Resources Permit – naturalresources@hcfl.gov
   • Impact/Mobility Fees – impactfees@hcfl.gov

What's next

1. Our staff will review the refund request form
2. If everything is in order, we will issue the refund

Get help

Department: Development Services
Phone: 813-272-5600