The City of Globe has announced the waiver of all permitting fees for major construction projects to assist residents and businesses affected by recent flooding. This decision was made public through a press bulletin.
Globe, a historic mining city with approximately 7,200 residents located east of Phoenix, experienced severe flash flooding in late September. The flooding transformed streets into rivers and inundated the downtown area. Reports suggest that around 2.5 inches of rain fell within 24 hours, causing water levels to rise to about 20 feet in certain areas. This led to vehicles being swept away, damage to homes and businesses, and the scattering of approximately 1,000 propane tanks from a local distributorship, which posed a hazardous materials concern. In response to these events, local and state officials issued emergency declarations and focused on search and rescue operations, debris removal, and reopening essential corridors. They emphasized that recovery efforts would depend on private owners and small businesses being able to proceed with repairs without bureaucratic delays.
According to city permit guidance, while fees are waived, major plumbing, electrical, and structural repairs still require building permits. However, during the recovery period, drywall replacement, minor electrical work, gas hookups, and electrical reconnections do not need permits. National cost surveys estimate typical building permit charges at around $1,688 on average. In a city like Globe with just over 7,200 people, waiving these fees eliminates upfront regulatory costs that could otherwise compete with household and small-business budgets for materials and labor.
State and national reports indicate that at least four people lost their lives due to the late-September flooding; three of them were in Globe. The heavy rainfall forced residents onto rooftops and sent approximately 1,000 propane tanks into downtown streets and creeks. Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs declared a state of emergency for Gila County following these events. She authorized about $200,000 in state resources to support search, rescue, and recovery efforts—supplementing local emergency operations—and highlighted how small communities often rely on municipal actions like fee waivers combined with targeted state aid rather than new standing programs after disasters.
The City of Globe serves as the municipal government for this historic mining community and is the county seat of Gila County in central Arizona. Founded around 1875 and incorporated in 1907, Globe currently has about 7,249 residents within an area covering roughly 18 square miles. It functions as a regional hub for mining activities as well as tourism services while balancing economic development with historic preservation amidst environmental risks such as flash flooding.
