Collier County cuts permit fees in half for repairs after wildfires, Irma

Collier County commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to cut permitting fees in half for homeowners repairing damage caused by Hurricane Irma, wildfires or any other locally declared disasters.

The rebate will help cut costs for an estimated 2,000 families rebuilding after Irma and for those who lost their homes in the April wildfires that burned thousands of acres east of Naples.

The costs of county permits range from $50 to several thousand dollars depending on the extent of work. The county estimates the average homeowner dealing with damage from the hurricane would pay about $450 in permit fees without the rebate.

About two months ago, commissioners had refused to waive permit fees for two families who each had to pay $2,400 in fees to rebuild after losing their homes in the spring fires. Commissioners said at the time that they didn't want to set a precedent for individual relief without a more formal plan in place.

Collier County's permitting office is funded almost entirely by the fees it collects.

After disasters, the influx of permits brings in more revenue for the office than it counts on when setting its budget, said Commissioner Bill McDaniel, who said he would prefer a total waiver of fees.

"It's kind of like found money," McDaniel said.

The 50 percent cut balances covering the extra work put on the office while providing some relief to victims of disasters, Commissioner Penny Taylor said.

"This is a good compromise," Taylor said.

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