This is my first-ever letter to the editor, sent to AzCentral:
Recently deeded a lot in unincorporated Maricopa County, I plan to move there soon, and develop a home. Learning the requirements, I find the permit fees to be daunting, since I am in poverty. There are no provisions for waivers or reductions for those with low income and wealth, as there is for the county court, but there is for to charitable organizations aiding the poor.
It seems to me, beside my own interest, that it should be in the public interest to provide these. Those who need constructions, extensions, repairs, or any similar work, but should be financially strained by permit fees, are tempted to do the work under the table. This can result in work not meeting standards in building, electrical, and plumbing codes, and not supervised by inspectors. In turn, this not only puts the builder/owner at risk, but also the community.
I’ve requested of the supervisor for the district in which I will live to move for this provision, and I urge all to do the same with their representatives.
After I posted this to my Facebook page, I realized that this is connected to the most important, most urgent issue for the world, Anthropogenic Climate Change. Those who might be able to squeeze into their budget some photovoltaic panels, or, perhaps, were given some, wanting to reduce dependence on electricity generated by burning fossil fuels, might not be able to do that and also afford the heavy permitting and inspection fees.
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