RESIDENTS IN CITY OF ARNOLD WITH BUILDING DAMAGE REMINDED OF PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

As property owners in City of Arnold contemplate clean up and repairs following recent storms, they are reminded to obtain City permits before repairing or rebuilding damaged structures. Please note that the City of Arnold has chosen to waive all Building Permit fees for storm-related repairs.

For properties located in the Floodplain, additional permits are required as part of city-participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which provides eligibility for flood insurance, flood disaster assistance, state and federal grants and loans, and buyout funds for flood-prone property. Please note that there are no fees for these permits as well.

As required by FEMA, local floodplain management ordinances require that permits be obtained for any construction or development within the City of Arnold’s Floodplain areas, to include the repair or reconstruction of structures damaged by storm, flood, or any other means.

Special conditions apply to substantially damaged buildings, i.e. those in which the total cost of repairs is fifty-percent or more of the structure’s pre-flood (or any damage) market value. If a building is found to be substantially damaged, regulations require that repairs not begin until compliance with the local floodplain ordinance is demonstrated. In some cases, that may require repairs that include elevating or flood-proofing the structure to reduce the potential for future flood damage.

The cost to repair must be calculated for full repair to “pre-damaged” condition, even if the owner elects to do less. The total cost to repair includes structural and finish materials as well as labor. If labor and materials have been donated they must still be assigned a value. If local building codes require the structure to be repaired according to certain standards, these additional costs must be included in the full repair cost for the structure.

State and federal assistance may be available to property owners to reduce the chances of future flood damage. Mitigation assistance may cover costs of relocation, or for elevating or purchasing flood-damaged structures. Flood insurance may also provide up to $30,000 to protect a structure from future flood damage.

Property owners and residents with flood-damaged buildings should call 636-282-2378 for questions about repairs, reconstruction permits, or their floodplain property.