Dear Editor,

On Jan. 15, the Troup County Commissioners passed an ordinance that requires a building permit on any “accessory structure” larger than 120 square feet (10 x 12 feet) on your property. Before you build a 12 x 12 storage building, gazebo, or a shelter for your car or barbecue grill you will need a set of plans and at least a $25 building permit. In fact, you don’t even have to build it because the permit is also required for a pre-built storage building, carport or gazebo bought from a retailer.

So I asked County Manager Tod Tentler what prompted the change in requirements for these ” accessory structures.” He told me that they were trying to prevent your “accessory structure” from causing injuries by collapsing on you or someone else. I felt so much better knowing that my county government is going to keep me from being hurt and it’s only $25 bucks. Most things the government government does to “protect” me cost a whole lot more.

I have been around a while and during that time I have never heard of anyone being hurt in a gazebo collapse or any other “accessory structure.” I will admit that I did break a leg while working on a birdhouse, but I don’t think the building permit would have helped.

In a time when the school system is asking for a millage rate increase and school are closing because it’s harder and harder to operate the school system for less than $100 million, the small structure building permit sounds like a way to grab a few extra dollars a homeowner may have left.

Mike Waller

LaGrange