With hurricane season approaching, Pinellas County plans to help residents in unincorporated areas return home faster by overhauling its permitting policy.

County officials will utilize upgraded software, streamlined procedures, and their own damage estimator tool to issue permits more quickly.

The revised plan adopts a FEMA option allowing residents to use contractor damage assessments to qualify for building permits, rather than waiting for substantial damage reports.

The county’s approach addresses concerns raised by barrier island residents, particularly in Treasure Island, who criticized local officials for strictly adhering to FEMA requirements that delayed permits to protect flood insurance ratings.

“Right from the onset we said we need to have options in place other than waitin

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