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Germantown waives municipal portion of building permit fees for flood repairs
Summary
The village board approved a resolution to waive the village share of building‑permit fees for storm‑damaged properties if owners report damage through specified channels and apply for permits by March 1, 2026; the waiver excludes SafeBuilt’s portion of fees and includes application conditions.
The Germantown Village Board voted to waive the village’s portion of building permit fees for property owners repairing flood damage from the recent storm, provided applicants met conditions spelled out in the resolution.
Under the adopted resolution, the village will waive only its portion of permit fees (SafeBuilt — the village’s inspection partner — retains its share); eligibility requires that property owners report storm damage through the village clerk’s office or the county 211 system by August 29 and submit permit applications for repairing storm‑damaged work before March 1, 2026. The waiver applies to work that was previously permitted and to repairs tied directly to the August rainfall event.
Village staff said the resolution mirrors a similar policy West Bend adopted earlier and is intended to reduce an immediate financial barrier for homeowners beginning cleanup and repairs while the village and county complete damage assessments and pursue potential FEMA or state assistance.
Trustees discussed the unknowns — whether homeowners have private insurance, flood insurance, or whether FEMA assistance will later cover costs — and emphasized the waiver as one small, short‑term measure to help residents. The board approved the resolution by roll call.
Staff will publish guidance on how to document storm damage for waiver eligibility and will coordinate with SafeBuilt on permit processing; the clerk’s office continues to accept damage reports and provide residents with next steps.
