Permit rules relaxed after Milton

County building departments announced relaxed permit requirements for repairs related to Hurricane Milton.

Sarasota County has announced that permit fees will be temporarily lowered for damage to homes recorded from Milton, Helene or Debby.

Submission at reduced rates will run from until Tuesday, Oct. 22, though county authorities may extend that period if need be.

Qualifying work for permit fee reduction includes re-roofing, door and window replacement, minor electrical repair, pool cage repair, air conditioning change out, and mobile home replacement, among others.

A full list can be found at https://www.scgov.net/government/planning-and-development-services/building/disaster-recovery.

Charlotte County issued a news release Monday to clarify that residential remodel permits would be required for flooded homes with more than 100 feet of drywall removed.

“Permits are essential to ensure that all repairs are done safely and meet the necessary building standards,” the release read. “Failure to obtain a permit may result in fines, additional repair costs, or issues when selling or insuring the property in the future.”

County staff also, however, outlined a number of repairs that do not require permitting:

Removal of debris from inside or outside structures.Minor demolition to prevent injury or further damage, including removal of flood-affected drywall.Structural shoring and bracing.Repair of minor water leaks not involving structural, mechanical, or electrical systems.Re-installation of previously permitted fences in the same location, except pool enclosure fences, which must comply with safety requirements.

Those wanting more detailed information about permitting can contact Community Development at 941-743-1201 or BuildingConstruction@CharlotteCountyFL.gov.

In the aftermath of Milton, Charlotte County Building Department staff placed stickers on homes and businesses as part of their damage assessment; the stickers indicate what permits would be needed for structurally sound repairs.

The Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association praised the move, saying that it would help inform locals about the extent of the damage and discourage unlicensed contractors from feeding false information to prospective clients.

Suzanne Graham, of Massey Services, chair of the CDBIA’s Governmental Services committee, noted that the many customers did not realize permits were needed and allowed shady firms to do substandard work after previous storms.

“This is very costly to have to pay to have a job done twice if it isn’t done to the Florida Building Code,” Graham said.

In DeSoto County, properties damaged by Hurricane Helene still require a permit.

Repairs in Flood Zones A and AE are required to have the county inspect the premises to determine if the threshold for “substantial damage.”

This is because DeSoto County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which allows residents to receive federally-backed loans, flood insurance, and disaster assistance.

Homeowners must contact the DeSoto County Development Department for the required permits before work begins.

“We empathize with your loss and the damage your property has sustained,” a press release from the county’s Building Department read. “We will make every effort to assist you through the permitting process in an efficient and timely manner.”

Anyone with questions about the process can contact the Development Department at 863-993-4811, or visit desotobocc.com/departments/building.

The Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association is also welcoming those with questions or seeking recommendations for contractors.

Those interested can visit www.cdbia.com for more tips or call 941-625-0804, or visit the organization at 17984 Toledo Blade Boulevard, Port Charlotte.