Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper calls it a “bonanza.” We’d prefer to just call it a smart idea.
Starting Monday, Denver homeowners who have been thinking about doing some remodeling work suddenly have the perfect stimulus: free, on-the-spot city permits.
Rather than waiting days or weeks to be granted a city permit, and paying a fee that can range from $20 to several thousand, homeowners for the next two weeks can walk into a city office and get a free permit.
Granted, it’s economic stimulus on a small scale. But why not try it?
Critics harp that government doesn’t create jobs and can’t stimulate the economy, but this is a good example of what government can do to stimulate the economy without spending trillions in taxpayer dollars.
By giving people an incentive to launch their home projects now — rather than an unknown date when everyone is feeling better about the economy — it’s likely the cash registers at Home Depot and Lowe’s and other home improvement stores will ring sooner, and a little more often, as contractors and homeowners stock up on needed supplies.
The extra sales tax money will then pour into the city’s coffers, and,ideally, the private businesses that benefited from the extra sales will then be healthier, allowing them to retain employees and better weather the recession.
The “Home Renovation Bonanza,” as the city is calling it, covers the following improvements to existing single-family homes and duplexes: basic interior remodels, such as kitchen, bath or bedroom; basement remodels; the addition of solar panels or home siding; roof repair or replacement; and replacement of water heaters and central heating and air. It does not include major renovations such as new homes, additions or new garages.
Perhaps it will be just the push a homeowner needs to invest in their renovation projects now, and, in turn, spur the economy.
The free building permits can be obtained between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m on weekdays from June 1-15 at the permit counter on the second floor of the Webb Municipal Building, 201 W. Colfax Ave. The permits will be valid for 180 days. Normally, the fee is $20 for projects valued up to $500 and $35 for projects valued between $500 and $2,000. The fee then increases by $8 for each additional $1,000 of project value over $2,000.
