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Taylor County staff propose higher demolition permit fees; item set for next agenda
Summary
Taylor County building official recommended increasing residential and commercial demolition permit fees to cover inspection and administrative costs; commissioners agreed to place the proposal on the next meeting agenda for a formal vote.
Taylor County building official Terry McKeever told the Board of County Commissioners at a workshop on April 29, 2025, that the county’s current demolition permit fees do not cover inspection, clerical and asbestos‑safety work and recommended raising the charges.
McKeever said the county’s current $104 demolition fee is “too low” to cover the building department’s costs and proposed a tiered schedule: about $125 for residential demolitions up to 1,500 square feet with an incremental per‑square‑foot charge for larger residences; commercial fees of about $250 for structures up to 5,000 square feet, $500 for 5,000–10,000 square feet, and a per‑square‑foot incremental rate for buildings larger than 10,000 square feet. “It’s less than most of the municipalities in the state of Florida charge, and we just haven't been charging,” McKeever said. He added inspectors must check electrical safety, septic tanks, wells and possible asbestos before a structure is removed.
The board discussed reasons for raising the fee and objections raised at a prior meeting. One commissioner reiterated concern about imposing costs that could deter industry and said fees could be waived for certain development projects; another commissioner said the building department is “a business” and the fee increase is necessary to at least cover costs. McKeever cited examples of missed inspections on properties where wells or other hazards remained after demolition, saying inspectors need time on site to prevent hazards.
When a commissioner asked whether the proposed change should return for a formal vote, the board instructed staff to place the proposed fee changes on the next agenda for a vote.
The proposal as presented included the fee levels above and an intent to expand demolition inspections that the county has not consistently performed in the past. Specific fee language and ordinance text were not finalized at the workshop and will be prepared for the agenda item to be considered at the next regular meeting.
