After comparing surrounding counties, a request was approved by the Elbert Board of County Commissioners to reduce the building permit fees for finished basements.

On Aug. 26, Richard Miller, director of community and development services, informed the board that Elbert County’s fee for such permits was up to 3-and-a-half times higher than El Paso, Douglas and Arapahoe Counties at $45.91 per square-foot. After approval by the board, the fee is now $16 per square-foot.

Previously in May of 2006, the fee was $15.07 per square-foot but the board at the approved the increase. For the past couple years the number of permits purchased in the county dropped because of the high price, causing some people to go ahead and with the basement finish with out the permit, Miller said.

“The Building Department estimates that for every ten inquiries they receive regarding building permits for basement finish only one permit is issued,” he said.

Miller said some citizens say they would obtain the permit, but the fee for the permit is cost prohibitive and would leave considerable less money for the actual improvements to the basement area. Citizens then continue to finish the basement with out the proper inspections by the Building Department, which could result in potentially hazardous conditions for the home.

Acting building official interim Mark Smith said he thinks the increase in volume in the permits will more than make up for he decease in permit price which will bring more revenue to the county.

“I think a lot more work will be done in the county now that the fee is reduced,” he said. “There is a lot of unsafe work going on out there and this will help prevent that.”

Neighboring counties fees versus Elbert County:

Elbert County - $45.91, now $16 per square-foot

El Paso County - $30 per square-foot

Douglas County - $12 per square-foot

Arapaho County - $18.50 per square-foot