Escambia County Waives Permit Fees for Hurricane Isaias Repairs
Escambia County has temporarily waived the application and inspection fees for the permits, land use approvals and development orders needed to repair Hurricane Isaias damage — permits are still required, but the county's fees are paused until further notice for storm-recovery work.
Escambia County is cutting one cost of storm recovery. The Board of County Commissioners has temporarily waived fees for repairs related to Hurricane Isaias damage, including the application and inspection fees for permits, land use approvals and development orders necessary for disaster recovery, NorthEscambia reported. The board acted through an Emergency Order, recognizing that the ongoing economic effects of Hurricane Isaias create uncertainty for the personal and business interests of county residents.
The waiver covers building permits; land use approvals, including fence permits, construction and driveway permits in the county right-of-way, commercial sign permits and permits to use recreational vehicles as temporary disaster recovery housing; and development orders. It is in effect until further notice.
Two conditions come with the relief. Permits are still required as usual — the order waives fees only and changes no other permitting procedures — and every applicant must present evidence to the county that the permit, approval or order is necessary to repair or replace structures damaged by Hurricane Isaias. The county says that evidence can include photographs or videos of storm damage, copies of insurance claims, or other documentation the county deems appropriate.
