The code office works both ways, between staff and applicant

KNEE-JERK CONCLUSIONS

Human nature will make people make quick, irrational conclusions about many things.

Especially when they think they are being singled out or picked on.

Human nature also makes people assume that they know how to do something better than someone else, especially when they really don’t know the other person.

Lack of trust, perception, assumption, skepticism and the lack of faith in other people’s abilities can be hard concepts to overcome.

However, usually with communication, some time and a willingness to listen, everyone will overcome these natural barriers.

This office understands that dealing with the regulatory process, and the technical requirements that are attached to all these processes, can be daunting at times.

Although to us, here in the Code Office, the laws, rules and regulations that come with the regulatory process may not be that intimidating, it’s bound to be if you are the applicant.

Even more so if you are the applicant not getting what he believes he should be getting!

When a building permit is denied, there is a reason.When a septic system permit  application can’t be approved, there is a reason.

When the Code Officer does not agree with the Architect or Engineer, there is a reason.

All of these reasons would have some sort of code or technical reason.

It’s is not because the code office “has it out for someone.” The reading and interpretation of the volumes of code language, technical bulletins, testing agencies, listing agencies, permitting agencies is very extensive… no doubt about that.

To apply all the codes and rules on paper, or in the field, can be challenging, and is often not understood by the one who has to do something… and who is usually the one who has to pay for it.

When disagreements arise, and money is involved, emotions can all too often make someone assume that we simply don’t like them, or we are picking on them. Human nature again.

This writer has always had the ability to have a lot of faith in other people.

The various professionals we deal with are just that, professionals who do care very much about trying to do the best job possible.

This applies to the vast majority of contractors and tradesman within the area as well. When a situation arises that we do not agree on the details of a project, things are discussed… as they should be.

Not too often is it that common ground cannot be found.

This office is not always right.

Yes, we do make mistakes, but never with intent.

For those who think that this office “has it out for them,” calm down, take a deep breath, and focus on the issue at hand.

We go out of our way to try and find a solution, if possible.

Usually that can be found.

But to think we have the energy, time and desire to just give someone a hard time for no valid reason is just irrational.

With the thousands of people we deal with in any given year, on all kinds of issues, we are not going to make our lives any more intense than it already is. Problems usually come to us, we don’t need to make them up.

The state building codes, local zoning laws, regional regulations, other state laws, rules and regulations are voluminous.

Understanding them, better yet, knowing how to find stuff in them is equally difficult.

If your design professional has a problem with the local code office, no matter what town or village you are in, have them reach out and communicate.

We have been shown where we are wrong, and we have shown others where they were wrong… it works both ways.

This is how you gain knowledge and understanding, which are powerful tools. Now go have a great

Thanksgiving and relax, everything usually works out just fine.