County Waives Permit Fees for Storm-Related Repairs to Aid Rebuilding Efforts

In response to the May 10 tornado outbreak, Leon County will waive growth management and building permit fees for storm-related repairs, along with permit fees for the removal of storm-damaged trees, to alleviate the financial burden for residents in unincorporated Leon County. Additionally, fees will be waived retroactively for projects already completed for residents in the unincorporated area upon request. Waived permit fees for storm-related repairs are projected to save unincorporated County residents hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Starting Wednesday, May 15, those interested in the fee waiver should contact Leon County Development Support and Environmental Management at 850-606-1300 or visit the County’s website at LeonCountyFL.gov/DSEM.

To qualify for the waiver, the work must be performed by the homeowner or a licensed contractor. Leon County encourages residents to ensure that any contractor they hire is licensed by the State of Florida. This licensing process is crucial for protecting property owners from incompetent or dishonest contractors. To find a list of licensed contractors, visit the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s website at MyFloridaLicense.com/DBPR or call 850-487-1395.

On Friday, May 10, 2024, Leon County declared a local state of emergency. This declaration enabled the waiver of permitting fees for repair work associated with tornado-related damages from the May 10 severe weather event. Since the County issues and accepts fee payments for online permits from registered specialty contractors (roofers, electricians, plumbers, etc.), some contractors applied for and were issued online permits for documented tornado-related repairs before the fee waiver was implemented. Permits issued for tornado-related repairs will not accrue permitting fees, and storm-related permitting fees paid prior to that date will be eligible for refund upon request.

For the latest emergency information and storm updates, visit the County’s Emergency Information Portal at LeonCountyFL.gov/ei.

For more information, contact Barry Wilcox, Leon County Development Support & Environmental Management Director, at 850-606-1300 / WilcoxB@LeonCountyFL.gov, or Mathieu Cavell, Leon County Community and Media Relations, at 850-606-5300 / CMR@LeonCountyFL.gov.
 

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