CASSELBERRY, Fla. – After a Facebook post by the city of Casselberry sparked outrage online last week, the city has announced it will waive fees for building permits.
On Thursday — just hours after Hurricane Milton swept across the state — city officials issued the social media post to remind residents that they must apply for a permit before beginning storm repairs.
“Building permits are required to be obtained for any fence repairs of TWO (2) or more panels and any home repairs due to the storm,” the post reads.
The post sparked a backlash from users in the comments, who argued that the timing was inappropriate. As of Friday evening, it had already garnered over 2,000 responses, mainly from those critical of the post.
“Why would you post about this as people are recovering?” Facebook user Carson Morris wrote. “This is extremely untimely and insensitive. A bad look for the City of Casselberry. Now is not the time. What a shame.”
Meanwhile, others rebuked the message by pointing out the steep costs associated with storm recovery.
“It’d be real cool if you waived the fees for any permits related to storm repairs, but that’s not good for business, so that wouldn’t happen,” Facebook user Patrick Lemkuil added. “Great job government.”
Still other people criticized the need for the building permits period.
“Thanks for protecting my neighbors from reckless DIY,” Facebook user Justin Smith said. “Next thing you know, we’ll need a permit to change the batteries in our smoke detectors.”
On Monday, the city released the following statement in response to the backlash:
“As part of the Hurricane Milton recovery initiative, the City of Casselberry has issued an Emergency Order to waive permitting fees for a period of 90 days in order to expedite and ease the financial burden for residents who may be in need of making storm damage repairs. Building permits are required by Florida law; emergency exceptions are permitted under Florida’s Building Code Act under state statute 553, Chapter 553.7922, which addresses post natural disaster needs.
In general, the statute allows the expediting of permit issuance for repairs that do not require technical review, including, but not limited to, roof repairs, fence replacement, reroofing, electrical repairs, service changes, or the replacement of one window or one door.
We understand the frustration and emotions associated with what was a frightening storm. Our message was just one of numerous updates posted throughout the storm and was intended to encourage Casselberry residents to begin the state-required permitting process through the city’s online system rather than having to wait until the City reopened after the storm. Waiving of fees is the next step in that process and is now in effect. We apologize that the message inspired confusion about the process.
Casselberry’s first responders, employees and city commissioners worked throughout the storm event to ensure the public’s safety and the continuation of city operations such as water and sewer service during this difficult situation.”
City of Casselberry
According to city officials, Casselberry is waiving building permit fees for 90 days under Florida’s Building Code Act “to ease the financial burden for residents who are in need of making storm damage repairs.”
In addition, the act allows the city to expedite permits for problems that don’t require technical review, including roof repairs, electrical repairs, service changes, or the replacement of one window or one door, city officials stated.
For more information on how to submit a permit application in Casselberry, click here.
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