Merritt waiving permit fees for flood zone

Through a unanimous vote, Merritt City Council has agreed to wave the permit fees for homeowners in the flood zone.

“The flood event of November 15, 2021 impacted 805 properties. Many of these properties included secondary suites, and some are multi-family buildings, so the number of homes is a significantly higher number. The RV sites at Claybanks are also not included in this figure, as RVs are not legally designated as dwellings,” said Planning Manager Don McArthur. “Of the 805 properties in the flood inundation zone, 251 are in the 200 Year Floodplain. The remaining 554 (68.8%) are outside the floodplain.”

Permit fees getting waived include:

• Earthworks
• Development (Form and Character)
• Development (Technical)
• Building
• Plumbing
• Demolition

Residents will still be required to obtain a permit but the fees will be waived.

“It’s really important that you continue to require permits,” said McArthur. “The reasons are that if the owner ever wants to sell, to show to perspective buyers that the repairs have been done in the correct manner. The other thing is on the city side, if we are considering any buyouts or things, having that paperwork trail on record is really important.”

“By waiving the fees we’re helping homeowners financially, but also expediting the process,” added McArthur.

All the fees will be waived until December 31, 2023.