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County extends after‑the‑fact permitting waivers and outlines outreach as over 5,300 storm repair permits issued since Oct. 2024
Summary
Pinellas County staff reported 5,351 storm repair permits since Oct. 2024 (70% in unincorporated areas) and the board extended a waiver of double permit fees for after‑the‑fact storm repairs through June 2026. Staff outlined outreach mailings, temporary RV allowance on vacant mobile‑home lots and enforcement steps planned after June.
Pinellas County building and development staff told commissioners Dec. 16 that the county has issued 5,351 storm repair permits since October 2024, about 70% of which were in unincorporated areas, and recommended continuing incentives to encourage after‑the‑fact permitting.
Kevin McCandrew, director of Building and Development Review Services, said waivers and outreach drove early permit activity: the county initially waived full building permit fees and later adopted a two‑times‑permit fee waiver for after‑the‑fact permits; earlier today the board extended the two‑times waiver through June 2026. Staff reported that roughly 15% of an initial mailing list (about 2,600 letters) have pursued permits so far (roughly 400 permits), and that 225 construction‑in‑the‑floodplain permits for mobile homes have been issued. Staff described plans for another round of mailings and for strengthened enforcement after June, including potential holds/flags in the permitting portal to block future improvements on parcels until after‑the‑fact permits are reconciled.
The board approved the fee‑waiver extension unanimously and asked staff to continue outreach and to report progress.
