1. (1) A fee is required and shall be paid to the District when certain applications or petitions are filed pursuant to District rules. This fee is for the purpose of helping defray the costs of evaluation, processing, noticing, advertising, and mailing required in connection with consideration of such applications, as well as costs of monitoring and inspecting for compliance with the permit. Fees are non-refundable in whole or part unless the activity for which an application is filed is determined by the District to be exempt or the fee submitted is determined by the District to be an incorrect amount. The appropriate fees are established in each separate rule. Failure of any person to pay the fees established in the appropriate rule shall result in the denial of an application.

2. (2) Any portion of the fees enumerated in any District rule in excess of $100 shall be waived for any:

   1. (a) County;
   2. (b) Municipality;
   3. (c) Entity created by special act, local ordinance, or interlocal agreement of counties or municipalities eligible for fee waiver under the provisions of Section 218.075, F.S.; or

   4. (d) Third party under contract with an entity specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) where the project for which the fee reduction or waiver is sought serves a public purpose.

      The waiver shall be granted upon receipt of a certification from such county or municipality of hardship in accordance with the provisions of Section 218.075, F.S. The Governing Body of the municipality or county requesting the fee waiver shall provide certification in the form of a written statement from the Florida Department of Revenue or using Form 165, effective 4-15-14 ( HYPERLINK "http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03904"
      http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-03904), which is hereby incorporated by reference and can be obtained from the District’s website ( HYPERLINK "http://www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us" www.nwfwmd.state.fl.us) or from District offices. Any such certification shall be presumed to be valid for the entire fiscal year of the municipality or county during which certification is made unless the certification clearly indicates a duration to the contrary.

Rulemaking Authority 373.044, 373.113 FS. Law Implemented 218.075, 373.109 FS. History–New 5-7-95, Amended 3-2-00, 4-15-14.