From Harford County government:
Harford County Executive Barry Glassman today waived permit fees for residential property owners who suffered damage from Winter Storm Jonas. The waiver is effective from January 25 through March 7 for single-family homes, townhouses, and any associated accessory structures such as detached garages that also need a garage door repair or sheds.
“Some roofs, porches, and decks may be compromised by the weight of our record-breaking snowfall,” said County Executive Glassman.
“I am taking this action to help ease the burden on our citizens by allowing them to make storm-related repairs without paying for their required permits.”
Authority to waive permit fees for 30 business days is provided for in the Harford County Code following a state of the County emergency declaration. County Executive Glassman signed such a declaration on Friday, January 22, 2016.
Although a fee waiver is in effect, property owners are still required to apply for their permits through the Harford County Permit Center located on the first floor at 220 S. Main Street in Bel Air. For more information, please call 410-638-3122. Refunds will be available to qualifying property owners who paid for their permits within the effective period prior to this announcement.
Permits should never be required to repair an existing structure that has received damage from an act of nature. Permits should only be required for new construction or renovations that required some sort of plumbing or electrical work. That’s my opinion and I believe it should be law. I do believe a permit should also be required whenever a property has additional entrances or accesses created to a public road. The over taxing of Maryland is the downfall of all citizens in Maryland and YES, a permit is a tax…….
So you think a burned out house should be rebuilt without permits or inspections?
Oh no, a burned out house should require a permit. If something is damaged to the point of being uninhabitable, a permit should be required….
I think any type of major repair work should be inspected, paid for out of property taxes. No additional permits required. This goes for burned out reconstruction as well. The inspections should be paid for out of property taxes. This does not mean the property taxes should be raised to cover this service either.
I love permits!!!!