Tag: permits
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If you’re a Pinellas County homeowner who watched Hurricanes Helene and Milton turn your place into a soggy mess last fall, you know the drill: Floodwaters recede, but the real nightmare? Getting back to normal. It’s been over a year since those back-to-back beasts slammed the Gulf Coast in September and October 2024, leaving thousands…
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Almost 11 months after Hurricane Helene battered the City of St. Petersburg and well beyond, some homeowners say they’re still waiting on the city to approve repair permits — even as another hurricane season gains momentum. Back in March, city officials admitted there were about 1,400 storm-related permits stuck in the pipeline. At the time,…
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After hurricanes Helene and Milton struck Florida last year, countless Tampa Bay residents found themselves caught in a maze of delays—waiting for permits, answers on substantial damage letters, and direction on who was responsible for getting them back in their homes. Eight months later, many of those same homeowners are still displaced, stuck in limbo.…
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With hurricane season nearing, Pinellas County is revamping its permitting process to help residents in unincorporated areas return home faster after storms. County officials plan to implement upgraded software, simplify procedures, and use a proprietary damage assessment tool to speed up permit approvals. The new approach leverages a FEMA-approved option allowing residents to submit contractor-prepared…
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In the seven months following a punishing 2024 hurricane season, residents of Pinellas’ barrier islands are approaching hurricane preparedness with renewed urgency. On May 7, the fourth floor of the Indian Shores Municipal Center was filled to capacity for “Storm Ready: Hurricane Awareness and Preparation,” an annual event hosted for the communities of Indian Shores…
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Treasure Island City Commissioners are urging residents making hurricane-related home repairs to submit their permit applications by May 31 in order to qualify for a waiver on permit fees. Barb Adams, a longtime Treasure Island resident, is finally preparing to move back into her storm-damaged home next week after nearly eight months in temporary housing.…
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Following the impact of three hurricanes in 2024, Florida lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving disaster preparedness and recovery efforts, including debris removal and post-storm rebuilding. On Friday, the House unanimously passed the bill (SB 180) with a 106-0 vote, while the Senate approved it 34-1. The measure now heads to Governor Ron DeSantis…
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Just 3 days from now will mark 7 months since Hurricane Helene, and in only 2 weeks, 6 months since Hurricane Milton. Yet, hundreds, if not thousands, are still dealing with the fallout, attempting to recover from the double punch the historic storms delivered. Meanwhile, the Florida legislature is considering House Bill 1535, a set…
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As hurricane season looms, Florida’s House Bill 1535 is making waves with a bold proposal to ease the burden on property owners recovering from devastating storms. Backed by Rep. Fiona McFarland (R-Sarasota) and with a Senate counterpart (SB 180) sponsored by Sen. Nick DiCeglie (R-Indian Rocks Beach), the measure aims to streamline post-storm recovery and…
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More than six months after Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through the region, the recovery across Tampa Bay is still ongoing—but now, enforcement is ramping up. Beginning Monday, Pasco County officials will start re-inspecting storm-damaged areas and enforcing building permit regulations tied to hurricane recovery, especially in flood-prone zones. Federal, state, and local laws require…
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As Pinellas County residents continue to rebuild after hurricanes Helene and Milton, a troubling issue in Collier County is a stark warning: widespread permit fraud could leave property owners facing costly and complex consequences. In Collier County, officials revealed that at least 400 single-family homes and commercial buildings were issued certificates of occupancy using fraudulent…
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The City of Treasure Island has decided against extending the presence of state-provided recovery staff, opting instead to rely on its own resources as it continues to rebuild from the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The decision, made during a recent city commission meeting, marks a shift in the city’s approach to managing…
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Typically, March brings throngs of visitors to the sidewalk outside Walter Loos’ ice cream parlor in Bradenton Beach. “In the evenings, you’d see a solid crowd filling the space,” Loos recalled when speaking to WTVT. This year, however, the area stands deserted. The ice cream parlor, as well as Loos’ nearby pizza and donut shops,…
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Treasure Island has revised several ordinances to allow residents to elevate their homes, offering a new option to protect against flooding as part of a terrain modification program set to begin on May 1. The use of fill material in this process remains entirely optional, according to city officials. Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused widespread…
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Heather Wendt’s father-in-law built their two-story home in Crystal Beach, Pinellas County, over 50 years ago. Despite being situated along Sutherland Bayou, floodwaters had never reached the doorstep—until last year. Now, the blue carpet that once lined her staircase is torn from the first three steps, and remnants of spray-foam sealant cling to the front…
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Six months have passed since Hurricane Helene tore through St. Petersburg, leaving destruction in its wake. Yet, for many residents, recovery remains painfully out of reach. Frustration is mounting as storm survivors struggle to rebuild, tangled in bureaucratic red tape. Many are still unable to return home. Some juggle the financial burden of paying rent…
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Numerous hurricane survivors remain in limbo, dependent on FEMA’s temporary housing aid. Caught in a permit backlog, many are still unable to start rebuilding their homes. Yet, they now face an unexpected deadline that has taken them by surprise. With spring break underway, Plaza Beach Hotel’s rooms are fully booked, leaving dozens of guests uncertain…
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After last year’s hurricanes, coastal residents faced confusion and frustration due to permitting and recovery delays. With a new hurricane season looming, Tampa Bay lawmakers are proposing legislation to cut through bureaucratic obstacles and help Floridians return to their homes. State Senator Nick Diceglie, R-Indian Rocks Island, emphasized the ongoing struggle: “Even now, some residents…
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As storm recovery efforts continue across Tampa Bay, the city of St. Petersburg has shared updates on key initiatives, including the commencement of repairs at Tropicana Field. Under the terms of the residency agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays, the city is responsible for the repairs, which are projected to cost approximately $56 million. The…
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A new state bill is in the works to streamline the permitting process, aiming to help storm-affected residents rebuild and recover more efficiently. This issue has been especially persistent in the Bay Area following hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving homeowners like Sean Bryan in limbo as they wait to repair their properties in St. Pete…
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Six months after Hurricane Helene inundated Redington Shores with floodwaters, some residents are just now obtaining detailed damage assessments. Kellie Sipos received a report indicating her home sustained less than 49% damage. She’s now in a frantic rush to reconstruct before the next storm season. “There’s widespread panic,” Sipos told Bay News 9. “Our greatest…
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St. Petersburg’s booming development has resulted in a backlog of construction permits, further aggravated by an unprecedented hurricane season. Although officials believe a new platform will help address the issue, persistent staffing challenges remain a significant concern. A 2024 independent study echoed local developers’ sentiments: the understaffed permitting department needs more personnel. Elizabeth “Liz” Abernethy,…
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The Pinecrest-Leto community is one of several North Tampa neighborhoods that, despite not being designated as FEMA flood zones, suffered extensive flood damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many homeowners in the area lack flood insurance and are relying on federal assistance—some of which, they claim, has yet to arrive. Codie Parkinson has already spent…
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Pinellas County is exploring a plan to ease the burden on hurricane victims by eliminating permit fees for rebuilding efforts. For families in parts of Pinellas County, the aftermath of recent storms lingers, with homes still in disrepair months later. County commissioners are looking at a proposal to waive building permit fees for repair and…
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Officials in Treasure Island are requesting additional information as they deliberate on waiving permit fees for residents looking to elevate or demolish homes post-Hurricane Helene. A workshop was convened Tuesday evening where city commissioners instructed City Manager Chuck Anderson to compile data on the number of permits already issued. The next session is set for…
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Five months have passed since Hurricane Helene hit, flooding hundreds of homes in the Tampa Bay area’s beach towns. One resident, Jeff Fuller, is facing significant challenges rebuilding his home after it was inundated by five feet of water. His efforts have been stalled, as he waits for the necessary permits. Fuller, a resident of…
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The City of Treasure Island is set to explore the possibility of waiving additional permit fees for residents rebuilding homes damaged by hurricanes. At a workshop scheduled for Tuesday evening, city commissioners will deliberate on the proposal to eliminate permit fees for both elevating existing homes and for new constructions aimed at replacing hurricane-affected properties.…
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A couple in Gulfport, Becky McCoy and Jim Newman, faced a significant setback in their recovery efforts after waiting nearly five months for a permit from city officials to repair their roof and the damage left by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Initially, a substantial damage determination letter from November indicated that their home suffered less…
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Residents of storm-battered St. Petersburg, along with several real estate agents, have voiced worries after city officials initiated nearly 11,000 code enforcement cases on properties potentially affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Many residents argue that their properties do not exhibit significant damage, while others worry that open cases could tarnish property reputations, complicating sales. …
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As St. Petersburg residents continue rebuilding after last year’s Hurricanes Helene and Milton, many are encountering code enforcement violations for making repairs without the required permits. The city currently has nearly 11,000 open code enforcement cases, primarily focused on homes that may not have obtained proper permits for storm-related repairs. Officials say this effort is…
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At a special meeting on Feb. 7, Treasure Island commissioners unanimously approved extending a temporary waiver of permit fees for specific storm-related repairs. However, many residents will need to wait for further discussion in a work session and another regular hearing to see if relief will be expanded to include more costly permits for raising…
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Hurricane Helene struck over 125 days ago. And 10 small towns across Pinellas County beaches have seen significant delays in rebuilding efforts, with many homeowners only recently learning if they can reconstruct their homes. Barb Adams, a Treasure Island resident, finally received a permit to elevate her house last week after applying two-and-a-half months ago…
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Leaders from the Barrier Islands have reached out to President Donald Trump for assistance in the wake of two devastating hurricanes: Helene and Milton. They are collectively drafting a letter to support their communities’ recovery efforts. “It’s been an incredibly tough four months,” said St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila. Mayor Petrila noted that over…
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There are visible signs of recovery in Madeira Beach, with live music at the Saltwater Hippie Beach Bar and restaurants bustling on Thursday nights. While some businesses have reopened, others remain closed and boarded up, as do several homes due to extensive hurricane damage. Many residents, like those in nearby areas, are unable to begin…
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