Jersey City’s Fulop to propose building fee waiver for property owners impacted by Hurricane Sandy

JERSEY CITY – City Councilman Steven Fulop plans to introduce a measure directing the city to waive all local building fee permits for property owners impacted by Hurricane Sandy.
Jersey City, which suffered severe flooding and wind damage from the hurricane, would be one of the first cities in New Jersey to waive building fees.
“Our residents were severely impacted by this unprecedented storm and we want to help our residents rebuild from this disaster,” Fulop said. “We need to remove every roadblock so that residents can begin rebuilding all that has been lost.”
The legislative action, which will be introduced at the council’s next meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 28, calls for the city to waive all Jersey City building fee permits for all owner-occupied residences in certain zones.
City building fee permits can range anywhere from $50 to $750. If approved by the City Council, the waiver period would last through the end of 2012.
The city’s building department is already allowing residents to begin certain emergency restoration work immediately, as long as they file for a permit within 30 days.
“This action is intended to encourage homeowners to rehabilitate their homes quickly and easily,” Fulop said.