Brevard County waives building permit fees for 90 days because of Hurricane Ian
Brevard County residents who need to make improvements and upgrades to their homes will get some temporary relief because of Hurricane Ian.
The County Commission unanimously voted to approve a measure during Tuesday’s meeting to waive building permit fees for 90 days for specific types of improvements residents will make toward their homes. The waivers apply to projects typically associated with damage related to a storm event, such as a hurricane.
They include:
Roof repair/replacement.
Fencing.
Air-conditioning equipment repair.
Screen/pool enclosure repair.
Repair of carports.
Drywall repair.
Repair of damaged mobile homes.
“In the agenda item, we stipulated those are for storm damage," Brevard County Planning and Development Director Tad Calkins said. "However, in looking at it from our systems standpoint, we would just ask that the board waive the fees for those permit types, regardless if it is storm damage or not, for 90 days, because it will actually be easier for us from an administration standpoint.”
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According to the accompanying agenda packet, the fee waivers will have a fiscal impact totaling $430,000 during the 90-day period, based on estimates from Hurricane Irma back in 2017, when a similar waiver was instituted.
Staff made the request to assist residents specifically with storm recovery efforts.
But the waivers have been applied to anyone who needs to make the specified improvements to make it easier for staff to implement the program.
“I think it is always wonderful that you guys always think these situations to help our community,” County Commissioner Rita Pritchett said.
Hurricane Ian made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane along southwest Florida at the end of September, bringing heavy rains and winds to Fort Myers and Naples area.
It weakened to a tropical storm as it made its way across the state before eventually exiting Florida near Cape Canaveral.
By the time it reached Brevard, it had sustained winds of 65 mph, with most of the heaviest rainfall north of the center of the storm. The county was spared from the most intense storm events, but Ian caused flooding and damage on some parts of the county.
Among the flooded areas were parts of Mims, Scottsmoor and Titusville, places that experienced heavier rainfall than central or south Brevard.
Aside from the fee waiver, residents can apply for assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency after the county became eligible for federal assistance.
“Fortunately, FEMA agreed with us today and provided that assistance,” said Brevard County Emergency Management Director John Scott during Tuesday’s County Commission meeting.
Residents can apply for assistance by going online at DisasterAssistance.gov; by downloading the agency’s app and applying; or by calling 800-621-3362 (FEMA).
To obtain financial assistance from FEMA, residents must first file a claim with their insurance company. For those without insurance, or if their insurance does not cover their claim, they can then apply for federal assistance.
Ralph Chapoco is government and politics watchdog reporter. You can reach Chapoco at rchapoco@floridatoday.com and follow him on Twitter @rchapoco
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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Brevard County responds with fee waivers after Hurricane Ian
