Here in Seattle either the Owner or the Applicant/Architect must sign paperwork with the permit submittal agreeing to be financially responsible for all permit fees. A building official noted the other day that as the economy collapsed some A/E firms who had signed the forms were stuck with large bills from the city on projects abandoned by the Owner. He cautioned us to never agree to cover fees after seeing what can happen.
-------------------------------------------
Lara Branigan AIA
Sr. Associate
Stock & Associates, Inc.
Seattle WA
-------------------------------------------