Yesterday (April 28, 2020) at a Special Meeting the St. Johns County Commission approved Resolution No. 2020-147, which will temporarily reduce certain County development and permit fees in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. The fee reductions will take effect on May 1, 2020 and automatically expire on August 4, 2020, unless extended or reauthorized by the Board of County Commissioners. The resolution makes reductions in certain 2020 permit issuance and development fees by 30 percent, including the following:
- Permit issuance fees including permit extensions, safety inspections, move-on site and field inspection fees;
- Demolition fees for both residential and commercial structures;
- Electrical, plumbing, swimming pool, irrigation, gas, mechanical and solar permit fees;
- Plat review and plat vacation fees;
- Construction plan review and construction inspection fees;
- As-built review;
- Lot grading;
- Single-family residential driveway permits;
- Clearing and tree preservation;
- Final inspection/re-inspection fees;
- Communication tower permit fees; and
- Fire inspection fees.
The Commission did not reduce impact fees or utility connection fees. In addition to the reduction in fees, Resolution No. 2020-147 provides that the County Commission may waive certain fees if it is in the best interest of the County and the public to do so. A full copy of the Resolution including the schedule and fees can be found here.
At yesterday’s Special Meeting, the St. Johns County Commission also extended the local state of emergency due to the threat of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) for an additional 7 days by virtue of Emergency Proclamation 2020-11. Currently, all St. Johns County Commission meetings remain open to the public to attend in person. However, members of the community can also participate in public comment via telephone by calling (904) 209-1265 during any St. Johns County Commission meeting.
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