CITY OF NORTH LAUDERDALE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

 

TO:                 Mayor and City Commission

 

FROM:           Richard D. Sala, City Manager

 

BY:                  Tammy L. Reed-Holguin, Community Development Director

 

DATE:            June 19, 2007

 

SUBJECT:     NATURAL DISASTER-RELATED PERMIT FEES

 

On April 24, 2007 the City Commission approved the fee revisions for building permits.  During the first reading on April 10th, the City Commission directed PMG, the City’s consultant on this task, to research the feasibility of including language in the amendment that will provide assistance with certain permit fees in the event of a natural disaster.  PMG completed the research regarding how other communities provide this service and their report is attached. 

 

They did not find any communities that fund the permits from their own resources nor is this approach considered to be feasible due to upcoming fiscal constraints to be placed on local governments by the State of Florida.  They did identify several methods that communities use to assist homeowners during the recovery process.  These included:

  • waiving all building permit fees for various established time periods
  • waiving fees on only emergency repair work
  • not requiring building permits for a certain time period
  • waiving fees for only owner-occupied units
  • issuing temporary building permits at no charge
  • allowing work to start prior to obtaining a permit.

 

After Hurricane Wilma, the City of North Lauderdale required that property owners apply for permits and allowed the applicant to begin the emergency repair work while the permit was being reviewed.  Payment was not required until the permit was issued which allowed the applicant time to receive their insurance money.

 

The City’s Code of Ordinances under Article I. Community Development Fee Schedule, Sec. 1 Generally, (d) states that upon recommendation from the Community Development Director, the governing body may grant an exemption from fees based only upon emergency, special or unusual conditions that adversely impacts the public health, safety and welfare of the City.  Therefore, the City Commission already has the authority to grant fee waivers in the event of a natural disaster.  It is recommended that no amendments to the Code be made and that should the City experience a natural disaster, the Administration prepare a recommendation for fee waivers or postponement of fees for consideration by the City Commission based on the particular circumstances.

 

Should the City Commission agree with Administration’s recommendation, no action is necessary at this time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Report from PMG, INC.

June 13, 2007