Crime & Safety

Half-Price Permit Fees Continued by High Ridge Fire Department

Permit discount is credited with spurring new home construction.

The High Ridge Fire Department (HRFD) decided Monday to extend its discounted permit fees as a way to continue a resurgence in new home construction in the northwest part of Jefferson County.

In Sept. 2009 the HRFD cut in half the cost of inspection, occupancy and other permit fees on new construction of 0ne- and two-family homes.  It expired on Dec. 31, 2010. The extension ordinance continues the fee reduction until Dec. 31, 2011.

District Fire Marshal Gene Robertson Jr. said the program has been a success.

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"The permit reduction program is apparently working," Robertson said at the fire board's Monday meeting. "It's been a real positive thing for us."

Robertson provided some figures to back up the success of the fee reduction program.

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In 2009, the HRFD collected $13,177 in permit fees on 59 permits for new home construction projects that cost $8,957,000. The half-price permit program took effect on Sept. 14, 2009.

In 2010, the district collected fewer fees ($11,346) on 96 permits for new residential construction totalling $14,867, 200.

HRFD Chief Michael Arnhart said said the loss of the fee revenue is a small price for the district to pay to encourage development in northwest Jefferson County.

"The fire district can absorb the cost of these permit fee reductions," he said. "This is just another option to present another savings to our property owners."

Arnhart also said the district is supportive of the efforts of the Jefferson County Growth and Development Association and it's slogan, "Shop Jefferson County." He said he hopes more businesses are attracted to the area as new homes continue to be built.

The extension of the discount permit fee program was passed by the board on a 3-0 vote.


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