PERMITS: Look at the root

Lately, there has been a discussion of comments on and grousing about the proposed elimination of building permits in Kootenai County, or, at least, making them optional. The latest is the “My Turn” by Deborah Rose. Most who have weighed in on the subject make very valid points, both pro and con.

I am in favor of building permits, to the latest code, but with some reasonable limitations.

However, I think most are missing the main point; MONEY!

The cost of building permits has escalated to the point of being unaffordable, in some cases.

The length of time it takes to obtain a permit has stretched out to as much as 2-3 months. This is because Kootenai County does not have adequate staffing to complete the permit application process in a timely manner. And why do they not have said staffing? MONEY! They do not have the budget to hire the needed people.

I honestly feel that many who oppose the permits would not be in opposition if permits cost a more reasonable amount and could be obtained in a more timely fashion.

I would suggest the following:

- Reduce the cost of the permits, to a more reasonable level.

- Hire needed additional staff to meet the demand. From my understanding, there is enough of a surplus in the general fund to do so.

- Make permits a requirement ONLY for structures for human habitation (both residential and commercial).

- Exempt outbuildings, such as barns, shops, etc. from a permit requirement.

- Give the inspectors the latitude to use some common sense and judgment when performing inspections. There should be a different standard for items of a structural nature (such as framing), as opposed to non-structural/cosmetic items (such as insulation). Case in point: an inspector gave my contractor a hard time because he had used 2-by-10 lumber in a part of a shop he built for me a few years ago, when the plans called for 2-by-8 (same grade). Why should it be an issue to use stronger/larger lumber? We finally got the inspector to approve the use of the larger lumber, but only after a lot of discussion and wasted time. (The additional weight was not an issue.)

I believe that permits would become a non-issue, were the above to be implemented.

LARRY TANZER

Spirit Lake