The Shenandoah City Council approved the adoption of changes for permits regarding residential construction fees for home additions in a 4-1 vote during its June 10 meeting.
Prior to approving the changes, language was added to the fee schedule to define an addition as "construction, which adds new air conditioned space to an existing property which has been issued a Certificate of Occupancy." For brand new homes, changes such as adding square footage are not considered residential, so the property would be subject to a permit fee. Fees for new residential homes will be $300 plus 55 cents per square foot of air conditioned space.
Council Member Michael McLeod said the changes are meant to be honest and up front regarding fees.
"If people start to abuse it, we can go back," McLeod said. "The main point is to get people talking to the city, ... because it has to be done right and done to code so it is safe for you, your family, your neighbors and future people who are going to live here."
