For Immediate Release
Date: February 28, 2014

City of Savannah Development Services staff will be on-hand at this weekend’s Low Country Home and Garden Show to explain the nuts and bolts of building permitting to those considering a home renovation.

City employees will staff a booth (see attached photo) during the event to answer questions about when a permit is needed for construction, repair or renovation projects. It’s part of a broader effort to make the City’s permitting process more accessible and easier to understand. That process has included adding inspections staff, implementation of an online permit application process, acceptance of online payments, holding weekly Building Plan Review (BPR) meetings open to the public, moving Development Services offices to a more central location with ample parking, and holding Home Improvement Permitting Days at Home Depot.
“Development Services continues to work diligently to find innovative opportunities to provide greater customer service to the residents and business community of Savannah,” said Development Services Liaison Cristy Lawrence. “A properly permitted project is a properly built project, which reduces problems and protects homeowners. Obtaining a building permit is also easier and more affordable than most residents realize.”

At 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28, Lawrence will give a presentation at the Show called "The Best $40 You Could Spend," explaining how a building permit protects the homeowner. The presentation will include photos of projects gone wrong that could have benefited from a building permit and city oversight.

The 2014 Low Country Home & Garden Show will be held Friday through Sunday at the Savannah International Trade and Convention Center.