Last minute inspection arrangements can upset the process by timely inspections

Many people assume that since most summer residents have left to go back to their principal home and the kids are back in school, this office slows down as well.

That is just not the case.

The business of the Code Office is not a service-based business tending to the needs of the traveling public.

Actually it is quite the opposite.

Now that many are back to their regular lives and not enjoying the summer house, they want the major work projects to get done.

Applications for building permits of all kinds come in by the dozens. Major or simple projects alike.

Some are complicated and some straight forward. However, all of them must be given due diligence for review and research before permits are issued.

This article has talked about the rare, but occasional, individual who comes in totally amazed that building permits are required.

They cannot understand why and assume it is just another money way for the Town to “make” money.

The issuance of permits is not merely administrative.

This article is intended to be more about the aggressive environment of the Code Office during this time of year.

Without any doubt, this is true in any local Code Office, Adirondack Park Agency, NYS DEC or any other agency having jurisdiction and permit authority over a project.

Engineers, architects, surveyors, builders, contractors and property owners are all in a hurry to get that project started because winter is just around the corner. Their emergency becomes our problem.

Maybe that comment is a little insensitive, but it seems that way sometimes.

More often than not, the property owner is in a bigger hurry than the design professional or builder.

Just over the last few weeks it is common to find two dozen, or more, different property files with applications on the desk, all needing review and research regarding their specific application.

NYS Building Code issues are usually pretty easy, especially when dealing with a design professional.

However, local zoning issues dealing with non-conforming lots and buildings, density, setbacks, uses of the property, past history [or lack of] can be very challenging and sometimes time consuming.

It is also common to get nothing done on review of incoming applications because the entire day is spent on phone calls and walk in traffic.

Thus, the snow-balling effect of getting behind in the ‘paper work’ which all comes with the job this time of year.

Once the applications are approved, with or without modification or some type of local board review process, the project begins.

Back to the first comment in this article. There is a lot of concrete going in the ground this time of year.

Lots of concrete means lots of footing inspections before the concrete is placed to verify proper forms, thickness, steel and size.

Of course a few days after the footings, all the poured walls, concrete blocks or whatever method of foundation kicks in.

Again, all subject to inspections.

Shake up all these inspections and site visits and spread them over the entire Town.

The Town of Webb is the largest township in New York State with over 485 square miles including over forty square miles of lakes.

Managing inspections can be a challenge. And not all properties are on a road!!

Keeping up with timely inspections is very dependent on someone, usually the contractor, calling the code office and scheduling the inspection well in advance, preferably the day before!

Calling at 10 o’clock in the morning and expecting a footing inspection by 11 o’clock will only create problems.

Although every effort is made to try and accommodate these calls, all this really does is slow down the entire process of plan review, research and permit approvals… and that just makes someone else really unhappy.

Everybody is busy. Help the code office or agency help you by communicating well in advance.