Brookhaven taking steps to stimulate economic growth
Permit fees reduced or waived through August 31
Brookhaven, GA, June 24, 2020 -- The coronavirus pandemic has impacted the local economy, but Brookhaven officials are taking measures to help ease the burden and offer a helping hand to residents and businesses during the economic downturn.
“Moving forward with efforts based on our #BrookhavenStrong initiative, the City is exploring ways to stimulate community activity to include commerce, recreation and social interaction as the COVID-19 restrictions ease up,” noted Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman. “While all Brookhaven Departments have been charged to explore ways to spur economic recovery, one of the first key components being focused upon includes temporary alterations to portions of our permitting process. To aid residents, contractors and the development community, a proposed permit fee reduction has been put into place to stimulate the contractor economy.”
The proposed permit fee reduction action was announced at the City Council's June 23 regular business meeting. The City Council had previously approved reducing the amount of time necessary to advertise the fee reductions from 45 days to 7 days.
A building application permit is often ground zero for any project beyond simple ones that do not require permit authorization such as swapping out windows, house painting, pruning trees or bushes. Once a decision has been made to start a project, the first step is to check with City Hall to see if a permit is needed. Like every other city or municipality, Brookhaven requires permits to do the work to ensure compliance with zoning and building code requirements to avoid safety issues, potential damage to property, diminished property values, erosion or storm water problems or a multitude of other safeguards.
The City approved a recommendation that includes fee reductions/waivers through August 31, 2020 for all residential construction and smaller commercial construction projects. Permit fees will be completely waived for the following permit types and their associated trade permits:
• Residential Building Permit – additions, alterations, accessory structures-detached, deck/porch or patio covers, pools or spas.
• Commercial Building Permit – additions, alterations, accessory structure – detached, deck/porch or patio covers, roofing or re-roofing.
• Occupancy inspection – occupancy inspection, food truck permits.
Certain conditions apply such as the exclusion of projects over 15,000 square feet; and no change of use/occupancy. The waiver includes all fees (e.g. review, permit and inspection) as well as permit extension fees.
Some projects may involve more than one permit. To help accelerate permit reviews, a permit combination is being allowed that will combine permits (e.g., single family homes, fences and pools) to eliminate multiple permit submittals and allow for concurrent reviews.
As a reminder, the City Council already approved the temporary relaxing of the sign ordinance related to banners and other temporary signage for businesses until July 31, 2020. This would allow businesses to let the public know they are open and ready to serve the community.
To expedite inspections, also on July 1 the Community Development Department plans to implement same-day inspections or allow private inspections for certain permit types not currently covered under such allowances. Providing for same-day inspections, rather than the standard next-day inspections, will encourage completion of projects setback by the economic downturn.
“These are a few of the initial steps that Community Development is implementing to give impetus to restarting residential or commercial projects,” said Patrice Ruffin. “As more temporary changes are put into place, we will be sure to keep our constituents informed.”
For more information, go to the Community Development page on the City website at: http://ow.ly/dI4h30qT60t
