Permits Required For Rebuilding Storm Damaged Structures
Release Date: October 25, 2002
Release Number: 1437-84
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Baton Rouge, LA -- Homeowners, landlords and business owners are urged to check with local and parish governments regarding permits before repairing or rebuilding a structure damaged by winds or flooding.
There can be strict local requirements on how and where structures may be renovated. "Specific requirements are in place to assure there is a lessening or even a removal of potential for damage in future disastrous storms," said Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). "Government can help people affected by winds or floods get back on their feet, but there is not an unlimited amount of money on hand to cover recurring losses in future similar events."
Local and parish governments use permits to ensure that rebuilding meets the necessary requirements of the 2002 flood maps. Information on requirements is available from local parish permitting offices.
FEMA and the state have specialists available at the Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) who are capable of finding answers to most non-technical questions. The DRCs are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily Monday through Saturday.
"There are many approaches to mitigating a storm-damaged structure," said Art Jones, Louisiana's state coordinating officer for the dual disasters, Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili. "They include elevation and relocation of properties, among other things."
"We urge all rebuilding contractors and property owners to visit their local permitting offices and obtain the necessary permits before beginning the rebuilding process," Jones added. "Prior planning and good information will produce a structure that would stay safe, sanitary and secure in the next major disaster, and will keep the rebuilder from having to undergo the costly process of getting the proper permits."
Last Modified: Tuesday, 22-Apr-2003 15:04:27