Solar Refund

Ir3th0283

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I have received a solar submittal refund. Permit was issued. Our records show no inspections for installation.
Applicant is requesting a refund on the submittal.
What would be the right way to handle this request considering that these type of permits are a set fee of $150.00?
 
Location
United States
We have a written policy of allowing an 80% refund if no inspections have been performed and the permit is still active ( not expired). The applicant must submit a refund request and the refund is only issued to the person who paid for the permit. 20% is retained for staff processing costs.
 
If there was plan review done, those fees likely wouldn't be refunded. What is included in the $150?
Make sure you get the request in writing. :)
 
Good Morning Emily,
The $150 is a set fee that includes the installation fee and our inspector's visit.
 
Good Morning Emily,
The $150 is a set fee that includes the installation fee and our inspector's visit.

Since the fee covers installation and inspection, and the solar project was never completed/inspected, it seems like you should be able to grant a refund (or at least a partial refund). What ended up happening with this one?
 
Hei Eric,
Still debating on this one. Per our records, no inspections were conducted. Permit was issued 5/14/2024 and email requesting refund came in 8/1/2024. However, since the type of permit is a set fee, my department is set that no refund is optional.
 
Hei Eric,
Still debating on this one. Per our records, no inspections were conducted. Permit was issued 5/14/2024 and email requesting refund came in 8/1/2024. However, since the type of permit is a set fee, my department is set that no refund is optional.

Sounds like you would have at least completed plan review in the 2.5 months between application submittal and the withdrawal/refund request? That being the case—and like what @Emily C related above—it makes sense to me that you wouldn't grant the refund. I would think that staff labor costs could easily exceed $150 for something like this.
 
Hei Eric,
Still debating on this one. Per our records, no inspections were conducted. Permit was issued 5/14/2024 and email requesting refund came in 8/1/2024. However, since the type of permit is a set fee, my department is set that no refund is optional.
In my city, inspections are deducted from the refund amount, since it takes away resources that could've been used elsewhere. The rest would be refundable. So, it seems that you should refund the full amount in this case. Then again, maybe @Eric is correct and the costs exceeded $150 over that time period. I'd probably figure out the actual costs and return any remaining funds.
 
I'm not a professional like most of you guys, but I know that you only get a partial refund in my city if absolutely no work has been performed at all and if the request is within a few days of issuance. @Ir3th0283, I think the person has a lot of nerve requesting a refund more than six months down the road.
 
I have received a solar submittal refund. Permit was issued. Our records show no inspections for installation.
Applicant is requesting a refund on the submittal.
What would be the right way to handle this request considering that these type of permits are a set fee of $150.00?
Good Morning,

We have a refund request form and if no inspections have occurred AND the permit is not expired, we issue the refund minus an admin fee. The admin fee needs to be adopted by your jurisdiction and part of the municipal code. The refund request form is located at www.medfordoregon.gov, apply for a permit, building permit, scroll to bottom other forms. Hope this helps. Kimberly
 
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