Ordinances simplify, speed home repairs

City Council passed two ordinances Feb. 9 aimed at helping the community make needed storm repairs safely and quickly. Both ordinances waive permitting and development fees and some permitting requirements for repairs to single- and multifamily homes damaged during the ice storm between Jan. 31 and Feb. 2. The first ordinance “waives permitting and development fees for structural repairs and tree removal associated with the winter storm. The waiver applies to plan reviews, inspections, demolitions and variances, but not to re-inspections when repairs do not comply with Code requirements and fail initial inspections.” The second ordinance “allows the building official to exempt some electrical work from permit requirements, extends the deadline for some permit applications, and waives a city of Austin registration requirement for electricians who are licensed to work in Texas.” Find more details here.