FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Date: October 24, 2007
Contact: Jennifer Stone (619) 531-4766

COUNTY WAIVES PERMIT FEES FOR THE REBUILDING OF FIRE-DAMAGED HOMES

SAN DIEGO – The San Diego County Board of Supervisors today approved a recommendation by District 2 Supervisor Dianne Jacob and District 5 Supervisor Bill Horn to waive permit fees for rebuilding structures damaged or destroyed by the Harris, Witch, and Rice Canyon Fires.

“We know from past experience that victims face a long and arduous rebuilding process,” said Supervisor Jacob.  “Waiving fees and expediting the process are ways the County intends to make recovery as smooth as possible.”

Supervisor Horn said, “It’s our desire to do everything we can to relieve the stress and financial burden on fire victims, and this action allows people to put their lives back together a little faster.”

The fee waivers would apply only to legally built structures in the unincorporated area which have been damaged or destroyed by fire and are located within the boundaries of the geographic areas declared by resolution of the Board of Supervisors to be eligible for the fee waivers.

The action provides critical relief to victims and expedites the permitting process.

The Supervisors also encouraged the Chief Administrative Officer to have the Department of Planning and Land Use fast-track rebuilding applications of fire victims.