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<br />SCRIPT-TASKJ. PERMIT PROCESSING <br />(You have 5 minutes to read the script.) <br /> <br />Slide Jl. Task J. Permit Processing <br /> <br />Task J is to estimate work load and staff needs to process permits for repair and <br />rebuilding after the flood and recommend procedures for handling the work load. <br />After a flood, the number of applications for building permits is many times the usual <br />volume. You may face pressures to compromise standards and cut short your review to <br />speed the permitting process. Yet, the safety of the rebuilt community depends on <br />maintaining good building practices and competent review of permit applications. <br /> <br />Slide J2. Plan checking at counter, Santa Clara County, California <br /> <br />Here is a property owner applying for a building permit in Santa Clara County, <br />California to repair her flood-damaged building. Local governments find that they <br />usually need extra staff to help process the heavy volume of permit applications. Some <br />jurisdictions have hired consultants to supplement their staffs or hired temporary <br />employees. <br /> <br />Slide J3. Permit processing on the scene, Guerneville, California <br /> <br />Usually some changes in procedures are needed after a flood. The building department <br />in Sonoma County, California manned this table in Guerneville after the 1995 flood on <br />the Russian River. Building inspectors interviewed owners of damaged properties to <br />determine if damage approached 50% of market value. If not, permits were issued on <br />the spot. If so, an inspector visited the site and owners were asked to provide <br />additional information to establish pre-flood market values. <br /> <br />Slide J4. Information center in Hardin, Illinois <br /> <br />After the 1993 Midwest floods, the city of Hardin, lllinois set up a center where owners <br />could find out the elevation of their properties. This information was necessary to <br />design repairs and apply for building permits. Some local governments have tried to <br />make the process easier for victims by setting up "one-stop" permit centers. Other <br />options are to waive public hearings for some types of permits, waive building permit <br />fees for a period of time, and increase staffing to improve turnaround time. <br /> <br />Slide J5. Booklet on protecting homes from flooding <br /> <br />Local governments can speed recovery by providing information on techniques for <br />elevating and floodproofing structures. For example, this FEMA booklet on retrofitting <br />houses to reduce flood damage can be offered to those seeking permits to repair flood- <br />damaged houses. <br /> <br />Script-Task J <br />