FY 2016-2017 Accomplishments

• The Building Services Department continued to ensure all permitted residential and commercial construction activity is in compliance with state and local building codes.
• Issued 20,881 building permits, with 928 new residential projects and 148 new commercial projects. The department also conducted same-day review of 58 percent of plans submitted, 93 percent within three days, and performed 38,848 inspections.
• Maintained Escambia County’s current CRS Rating of 6 and helped seven families obtain FEMA grants to remove their homes from the threat of flood within the special flood hazard areas.
• Reviewed 39 applications for Examination for Certificate of Competency licensure that were approved by the Contractor Competency Board and Board of Electrical Examiners. Received and reviewed 60 written complaints against licensed contractors, with 25 percent resulting in resolution between the parties and seven disciplinary actions taken by the boards.
• Investigated over 700 cases of unlicensed/unpermitted activity, with over $16,000 in citations, four probable cause arrest affidavits issued and over $200,000 in restitution returned to victims. Achieved a 98 percent success rate of obtaining permits for unpermitted work.
• Building Services came under the direction of the new building official – Director of Building Services Tim Tolbert in December 2016.
• Seeking to improve customer service and streamline operations, Building Inspections, along with Development Services and Environmental Code Enforcement, entered into a contract with South Central Planning & Development Commission for new permitting software called MyGovernmentOnline. This software opens many doors for contractors and homeowners by allowing them to submit plans, obtain permits, renew licenses and schedule inspections online.