Alabama Contractors License Practice Exam

A permit is not valid until?

1. It is approved

2. The fee has been paid

3. It is posted at the site

4. The site plan has been posted

The correct answer is: The fee has been paid

A permit is considered invalid until the fee has been paid because payment is a fundamental requirement in the permitting process. Fees are typically associated with the cost of processing the permit, administrative expenses, and sometimes the inspection services required to ensure compliance with applicable codes and regulations. Without payment, the municipality or governing body will not grant the right to proceed with the proposed work, as they have not received compensation for the services involved in reviewing and issuing the permit. While approval, site posting, and site plan postings are important steps in the permitting process, they occur only after payment has been completed. Approval can take place after the permit application is reviewed, and posting at the site may be required to inform the public or neighbors about upcoming work, but these actions do not validate the permit themselves without the required fees being settled first. Thus, payment is the linchpin that allows the permit to be legitimately issued and used for construction activities.