Commission adopts discretionary permit‑fee waiver policy for disasters and public‑benefit projects

The El Dorado City Commission adopted an ordinance establishing new sections of city code to create a policy for discretionary waiver of permanent permit fees in response to damage from natural events and in certain other circumstances that affect community welfare.

Scott, the presenting staff member, said the ordinance was crafted following the recent flooding event and the city’s prior decision to waive building permit fees during that response. He said staff broadened the policy beyond reactive disaster relief to allow fee waivers when doing so would produce direct public benefit — for example to support senior housing, low‑income housing projects applying for grant points, or to expedite health and safety‑related repairs. Scott cautioned that many events are covered by insurance, and when insurance or contractors would otherwise cover fees, a waiver might not directly benefit affected residents.

A commissioner moved to approve the ordinance and the motion carried. The ordinance gives staff discretion to waive permit fees in situations described by the policy language and sets criteria for when waivers are appropriate. Commissioners asked questions during the discussion and said they appreciated staff taking time to craft the policy carefully.

No specific fee amounts or examples of previously waived fees were provided in the presentation; the policy sets a framework for future discretionary actions and does not itself waive fees for any currently pending project.