Beachlawn Building Corp. v. City of St. Clair Shores

Plaintiff was engaged in the business of constructing residences in defendant city from 1954 through 1959. A city ordinance required a builder to obtain a building permit and to pay a fee therefor before commencement of construction of a house. Plaintiff had been complying with those requirements.

In October of 1954 and again in July of 1956 the ordinance was amended, both times to increase the fees for building permits. In Merrelli v. City of St. Clair Shores, 355 Mich 575, this Court held the amendments and charge of fees thereunder to be invalid because the revenue derived therefrom was in…