Reduced Permit Fees For Veterans

Governor Jerry Brown on Monday signed into law a bill by Sen. Tom Berryhill of Modesto that will help disabled veterans in California ease their disability-related burdens.

SB 330 – which was approved unanimously in both chambers of the Legislature last month – will ease construction costs for disabled veterans by allowing local governments to waive or reduce building permit fees for home improvements related to veterans’ service-connected disabilities.

“Everything we have is due to the bravery and sacrifices of these amazing men and women, who serve selflessly so that we may be safe,” Berryhill said on Monday. “This is really good policy and I’m very grateful for the support of Governor Brown and my colleagues in the Legislature.”

The measure is supported by the California Building Industry Association, the American G.I. Forum of California, the American Legion-Department of California, the AMVETS-Department of California, the California Association of County Veterans Service Officers, the California State Commanders Veterans Council, the Military Officers Association of America, California Council of Chapters and the Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council.

The measure in full: Section 17951.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read:

17951.5.  (a) Notwithstanding Section 17951, each city, county, or city and county may waive or reduce all building permit fees for improvements to the home of a veteran with a qualifying disability that are made to accommodate that disability.

(b) “Qualifying disability” means a disability that is recognized as service connected by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.”