Fire survivors rebuilding in burn scars in Butte County can now pay for permits through a payment plan option after it was approved by the board of supervisors earlier this week.
The option comes after months of preparation by the county’s Department of Development Services.
After making a downpayment of 10 to 16 percent of the total permit cost, fire survivors can use the plan to pay the remaining balance in monthly installments over two years.
In some cases, permit costs can reach upward of $10,000, making it difficult for some residents to foot the entire bill up front.
Paula Daneluk, director of the Department of Development Services said the goal is to remove barriers for residents who are trying to rebuild.
“It's hopefully providing a financial opportunity and path for people who could not come up with the large building permit fee and needed to have a payment plan to spread the cost out over the time period of their rebuild,” Daneluk said.
The idea of a payment plan system was first introduced in a public comment by a Berry Creek resident at an October board meeting last year. Residents had shown up to advocate for an extension to an ordinance that would allow fire survivors of the Bear Fire — later known as the North Complex — to live in RVs and trailers on their properties. During the meeting, many survivors said permit costs made it difficult to begin rebuilding.
That’s when the Department of Development Services began exploring the payment option idea.
“It's something that the board has been looking at as an opportunity for us to provide another avenue for people to move into permanent rebuild situations,” Daneluk said.
Along with an installment plan, other programs could also make permit costs cheaper. Daneluk said a master plan for small homes is in the pipeline.
“We're hoping to be able to provide predesigned smaller homes for people to have those building permits,” she said. “And then, since they’ll be master planned ... that would also then reduce the permitting cost.”
Before the board approved the payment plan, Supervisor Bill Connelly thanked county staff members for their work.
“This, along with the plans coming, will positively impact people without means,” Connelly said. “So, I fully support this.”
Daneluk said the plan is only available to those who qualify as fire survivors. Residents can use the plan if they have lost property they owned in the disaster.
“If you were a homeowner who lost their home during the fire and you are trying to rebuild, this program is designed for you,” she said. “If you are coming from outside of our area and are wanting to build a new home, you don't qualify for the program.”
The plan is effective immediately and Daneluk said residents can begin reaching out to her department.
