As Manatee County residents continue to clean-up after Ian, Manatee County Development Services will be working with them to help make faster fixes by expediting permits for hurricane- damaged structures. As of Monday morning, residential damage has been estimated at $69 million and commercial damage at $13.5 million. Those figures are forecasted to rise higher as more areas, currently inaccessible, are investigated. To help Manatee County residents, Development Services is waiving residential and commercial property building permit fees through January 1, 2023, for aluminum structures, roof coverings, siding, soffit and fascia. Staff will continue to evaluate the fee structure as repairs and rehabilitation of properties continues. In emergency situations, temporary repairs, equipment replacement, and work done to mitigate wind, water or flood damage and prevent further deterioration of residential and commercial structures can be executed without a permit. However, the permit application MUST be submitted on the next working day to the building official. For further detailed information on permitting requirements and what type of work is exempted and not exempted from permit requirements, please refer to the Manatee County Development Services section of the mymanatee.org Website or call (941) 748-4501, x6893. An executive order has been signed in the wake of Ian which allows General Contractors to perform roof repairs. Residents who use unlicensed contractors are at risk for faulty work and injury in their own home or business. Homeowners need to verify that their contractors have Workers' Compensation Insurance and also ask to see their general liability insurance. The homeowner is financially responsible for any uninsured contractors who get hurt while working on their home. Consumers are urged by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation to verify their contractor license online at MyFloridaLicense.com or by calling 850-487-1395. Manatee County residents can also call the Building and Permitting Department at (941) 748-4501, ext. 3800, to determine if their contractor is registered here and if they have any local complaints. They also can get their permit history. 

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