To: Board of Supervisors
From: Planning and Building Department and DHHS
Agenda Section: Departmental
SUBJECT:
title
Extend the Current Safe Homes Program (Building Permit Penalty Fee Waiver Program) for Residential and Residential Accessory Structures
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RECOMMENDATION(S):
Recommendation
That the Board of Supervisors:
1. Adopt Resolution No. (Attachment 1), A Resolution of the Board of Supervisors of the County of Humboldt Extending the Safe Homes Program through Dec. 31, 2027.
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SOURCE OF FUNDING:
Building permit fees and existing General Fund allocation in the Building Inspections budget unit (1100262-203000 and 1100262-9360)
DISCUSSION:
The current Safe Homes Program was adopted and implemented October of 2017. The goal of this program was to encourage the public to bring unpermitted residential and residential accessory structures into compliance with state and local codes by obtaining after-the-fact building permits. This program incentivizes the public to bring unpermitted structures into compliance by waiving the penalty fees associated with permitting after-the-fact construction.
The Safe Homes Program has been a coordinated effort of both the Planning and Building Department and the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Environmental Health. Since the inception of the program, the Planning and Building Department has issued building permits to legitimize approximately eight residences. The Building Division has also issued approximately 18 after-the-fact permits for residential remodels and residential accessory structures.
In addition to continuing to encourage the public to bring their unpermitted structures into compliance, the Safe Homes Program is identified as an implementation measure in the 2014 General Plan Housing Element for Humboldt County:
"H-IM32. "Safe Homes" Program to Increase Building Code Compliance. The County shall allow qualified unpermitted homes to become permitted through a "saf...
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