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Clay County planning office reports rise in permit activity, readies online permitting and fee‑schedule review
Summary
Planning and Zoning Director Matt Jacobson told commissioners that building‑permit activity and construction valuations rose in 2025, the county implemented a major land‑development ordinance update in 2025 and is testing online permitting; staff also recommended a targeted fee schedule update and reported declines in variance requests and zoning violations resolved.
Clay County's Planning and Zoning Department reported increases in development activity in 2025 and previewed technology and fee changes the office plans for 2026.
Director Matt Jacobson told the county board the office recorded a jump in building permit activity and construction valuation in 2025, with roughly 35 new single‑family home applications and a total construction application valuation approaching $30 million. He said much of the earlier post‑COVID refinancing dip has normalized and that residential development is particularly strong in the county's southeast.
Jacobson highlighted department accomplishments: adoption of the updated Clay County Land Development and Subdivision Ordinance (June 2025), improvements to gravel‑tax tracking that identify specific pit parcels, initiation of online vital‑record ordering and e‑recording, and work on an integrated online permitting and payment platform intended for 2026 rollout. He also said variance requests declined—staff attributed that to early applicant engagement and code changes that removed the need for some previous variances.
On environmental planning, Jacobson noted the completion of a Buffalo River flood‑insurance map revision that has helped some property owners lower flood‑insurance premiums. He said staff will update zoning maps to reflect FEMA changes and work with the state floodplain manager.
On policy, Jacobson reiterated that minimum lot sizes in unsewered rural areas exist in part to preserve wastewater system function and emergency access; reducing those sizes—an issue raised during a concurrent public hearing—could constrain septic design and on‑site circulation, he said.
The board expressed support and requested additional breakdowns (for example, how many new homes were standalone vs. subdivision lots). Jacobson said staff will provide follow‑up details by email.
