While Montgomery County and state officials are working to obtain a federal disaster declaration as well as individual Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for homeowners affected by water damage, two other county programs were made available on May 7 to help with disaster recovery.

What are the options?

During the Montgomery County Commissioners Court meeting May 7, commissioners approved waiving permitting fees for residents to rebuild homes damaged by the severe storms that moved through southeast Texas in early May.

“We've waived the fees simply as an incentive for property owners to be in contact with the county and go through that permitting process to make sure that [homeowners] do complete those permits appropriately,” said John McKinney, floodplain administrator for Montgomery County. “But also I think this is kind of just a goodwill gesture by the county.”

The waiver applies exclusively to permits for rebuilding structures damaged by the early May storms and associated flooding.

What else?

A disaster property tax exemption was also approved for homes that were damaged by the flooding.

“Property Tax Code Section 11.35 allows a qualified property with at least 15% damage by a disaster to receive a temporary exemption of a portion of the appraised value,” Montgomery County Tax Assessor-Collector Tammy McRae said.

Residents can apply for a disaster-based property tax exemption, and it will be available to any homeowner who sustained a minimum of 15% damage from the floods in their homes.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 13, and applications must be filed through the Montgomery County Appraisal District.