My life, like so many others, was upended following Hurricane Milton. My home, my vehicle, my personal belongings — all taken away in a matter of hours. Amidst the catastrophic aftermath and during the painstaking process of rebuilding my life from scratch, the local employee of Charlotte County, instead of lending a helping hand, reminded us that any repairs to 100sqft of drywall or more would require a residential remodel permit. The mere thought of having to shell out an exorbitant $200 fee for this permit, in the aftermath of the most devastating event of my life, seemed surreal, adding to the financial burden of recovery.

Given the brutal realities of the unprecedented increase in natural disasters, it is imperative that our policies reflect fundamental human decency. That is why I am calling upon the Florida government to introduce regulations that will require counties to waive permit fees for home repairs following natural disasters. Under these regulations, while permits will still be issued and work will be inspected to ensure safety standards are met, the associated fees would be waived.

According to a report by the National Climate Assessment, Florida is one of the most vulnerable states to hurricanes and its impacts, not only in terms of the physical toll but also the economic burden that comes thereafter. The same report shows that hurricanes and other natural disasters have cost the state of Florida billions of dollars, burdening the economy and its citizens. If permit fees are waived in these circumstances, that is one less burden for the impacted homeowners in these dire times. We’re asking the Charlotte County to not profit off of us durning natural disaster. 

In the face of crisis, we should be lifting each other up, not adding to the burden. Stand with us in demanding a change to this unjust policy. Please sign this petition today.