Elbert County staff propose cuts to accessory-structure permit fees and changes to plan-review and contractor licensing

Elbert County building department staff told county commissioners in a work-study session that they are considering targeted reductions to permit and plan-review fees intended to lower costs for homeowners building accessory structures such as pole barns, storage sheds and greenhouses.

Staff said the proposal would apply a 25% modifier to the ICC-based “Group U” (accessory structure) permit-fee line, cutting the current price per square foot from $66.48 to $49.86 as an example. They also proposed moving the county’s residential-fee calculations to the 2024 International Residential Code (IRC) fee table and discussed flattening several interior remodel and basement finish line items to a single, lower flat fee.

The proposals are aimed at making small home projects less costly for residents while preserving the county’s overall fee structure. Building staff emphasized the measures would target only the Group U category and would not change fees for larger, more complex projects.

County staff explained how the 25% modifier could be applied directly to the valuation formula the county currently uses. Under…