Due to the unprecedented flooding and damage caused by Hurricane Ida, the Municipality of Norristown is waiving permit (building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, energy, fire, and demolition) fees for the repairing of any damages to buildings caused by the storm. Permit requirements are not being waived, only permit fees. Property owners and contractors must still apply for and obtain approvals for construction work prior to work being performed.
The waiver of permit fees is effective immediately and until further notice.
Property owners are asked to fill out the Montgomery County Property Damage Assessment form at montcopa.org/ida if your property has sustained damage due to the storm. A property must be registered with the county through this damage assessment form in order for the fees to be waived.
The Department of Buildings & Code Compliance will support the permitting and inspections process.
"In an effort to assist property owners, business owners, and the residents of Norristown, Municipal Administrator Crandall Jones has authorized the department to waive all permit fees to help simplify and facilitate the clean-up and recovery process.” said Amrinder Singh, Norristown Code Enforcement Manager and Building Code Official. “Our team will work hard to ensure that all permit applications are reviewed and processed rapidly, and inspection requests are performed expeditiously so that properties can be re-occupied as quickly as possible.”
It is understood that certain work must be done immediately and therefore a permit may be submitted after the work has started as per the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code as “Emergency Work”. However, you must notify the Buildings Department in writing (email is the best method) within 24 hours of beginning such work and a permit application must be submitted to the department within three (3) business days. To help expedite true emergency repair work, please email your fully completed permit application directly to Amrinder Singh at ASingh@Norristown.Org.
Please note that applications will be deemed incomplete if they are missing information or if applications are not submitted with necessary plans/drawings or supporting documents, if applicable. Permit applications submitted by unlicensed contractors will also be rejected.
Feel free to visit the Department of Buildings & Code Enforcement at 1700 Markley St. Suite 104 or contact us by telephone at 610-270-0441 if you have any questions.
A Multi-Agency Resource Center for those affected by Ida will open at the MCIU, located at 2 W Lafayette St. It will open on September 8. A slew of state and local agencies will be available to help you. The hours of operation for Sept. 8 are 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sept. 9 from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.
Montgomery County has a webpage filled with information about shelters, damage assessment, and other recovery efforts. That website is https://montcopa.org/3878/Hurricane-Ida. The Hurricane Ida Crisis Cleanup Hotline is (844) 965-1386.
Property owners are encouraged to fill out the Montgomery County Property Damage Assessment form if your property has sustained damage due to the storm. This information will be logged by the county to gauge need for emergency relief funds. To complete the form, please visit: https://veoci.com/v/p/form/b7bf7bpujcv6.
