Need relief? County waives fees for disaster recovery

East County residents impacted by the Coches Fire in Lakeside, Sep. 8 are eligible for several fee waivers, including those associated with debris removal, burned vehicle disposal, rebuilding, and document replacement, according to county officials.

Four mobile homes and three accessory structures were destroyed during the fire. The fee waiver effort could save residents upward of $18,000 for various permits and plan checks within the Building Division.  Residents could save up to $4,300 in disposal costs, thanks to a vote by the Board of Supervisors.

County Environmental Health and Quality estimates residents could save up to $10,098 for the septic system or water well permits. The replacement of vital records and documents could save those impacted up to $500.

A Planning and Development Services recovery liaison is assigned to each affected property owner and serves in a caseworker-type role, working directly with those who were affected by the fire. They help find recovery resources and help them with permitting and rebuilding information.

Guidance and resources are also provided to property owners at no cost on request for mobile home repair and permitting, safe restoration of water wells, pools, and septic systems, off-property fire damage, and erosion control.

Among the County service fees that can be waived are:

Various solid waste disposal fees can be waived for franchise haulers, transfer stations, and landfills on fire debris collected from properties damaged or destroyed in the Coches Fire.

Household hazardous waste collection is available for free to property owners through a County Public Works contractor. For questions on debris collection or disposal, residents can reach out to DPW by email at recycle@sdcounty.ca.gov or by phone at 858-694-2456.

Removal and disposal of burned or damaged vehicles, including mobile homes and recreational vehicles can be done at no cost through the County’s Vehicle Abatement Program.

Building plan check and permit issuance fees can be waived.

Septic system and water well installation permit fees and plan review fees can be waived.

Vital record, deeds and other property-related and business document replacement fees from the Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office can be waived. For assistance with this, reach out to ARCCRecorderCountyClerk.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov or call 619-237-0502.

To qualify for the fee waivers, residents can apply with the County Building Division, which will verify structures lost or damaged, including those not listed in the initial damage report. Once qualified, they need only bring proof of parcel ownership to get the fee waivers.

The Office of Emergency Services AlertSanDiego website can connect residents to supplemental recovery services, including financial assistance for immediate needs, mental health support, clothing replacement, hazardous tree removal, and short-term housing for households whose homes were destroyed by reaching out to oes@sdcounty.ca.gov or calling 858-565-3490.

–City News Service