FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE/ February 2, 2009   

 

Snohomish County Permitting Relief Approved

On February 2nd, the Snohomish County Council approved emergency ordinance 09-006, which waives fees for residents, business owners, and public agencies faced with repairs from the storms of December and January.  While waiving fees for eligible applications, the ordinance requests that county departments expedite permit application reviews for repairs from storm damage. 

To be eligible, people requesting review under this ordinance will provide the following with an application:  "(a) a written statement, certified and signed under penalty of perjury, that the structure or property ... was damaged as a result of severe weather that occurred between December 15, 2008 and January 13, 2009, and (b) a detailed description of the proposed repairs".  Applications must be submitted not later than August 15, 2009. 

While Snohomish County adopted permitting-related flood relief, the President "ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts" in areas affected by the storms from January 6th to the 16th.  FEMA said "residents and business owners who sustained losses in the designated counties can begin applying for assistance [on February 2] by registering online at http://www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling    
1-800-621-FEMA(3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) seven notice."

Councilmember Koster, who initiated the county's emergency ordinance, said "This is the right thing to do for property owners damaged by the December  and January floods." The emergency ordinance passed 4-0; Councilmember Sullivan was not available for the vote. 

For more information about applying for a permit under the county ordinance, please contact Snohomish County's Department of Planning and Development Services at: 
425-388-3311 or 1-800-562-4367.