What event may lead to the chief building official revoking a permit?

The event that may lead to the chief building official revoking a permit is when construction is deemed "not started" after a specified duration, such as six months. Building officials typically impose timelines to ensure that projects are progressing as planned and to make sure that neighborhoods are not left in limbo due to stalled construction. If a contractor or builder fails to begin construction within the designated timeframe, it raises concerns about the project's viability and the efficient use of resources, prompting the official to consider revoking the permit.

In contrast, the other options do not directly present valid grounds for permit revocation. Payment of fees (option B) is typically a requirement for maintaining a permit, but fulfilling this obligation does not result in revocation. Making changes without authorization (option C) may lead to complications or additional scrutiny but does not automatically trigger revocation unless those changes violate specific regulations or codes. Lastly, the existence of prior permits (option D) is not relevant to the current permit; it is the activity related to the current permit that is scrutinized.