Best practices book - Flipbook - Page 25
there are several teams that cater to projects that have individualized or intensive needs,
including multifamily projects, mega projects, and special projects and events. This
organizational realignment was recognized in 2020 by the National Association of Counties
(NACo) as deserving of an Innovation Award. More: Plan Review webpage, Inspections
webpage
CODE ACADEMY & CODE CONNECTIONS
In order to serve our customers better, Code Enforcement has dedicated four staff positions,
called code administrators, that assist the director in interpreting and applying local code
intricacies. There are four code administrators, one for each trade, i.e., building, electrical, and
mechanical and plumbing. An associate code administrator focuses specifically on residential
building issues due to the additional workload and customer needs. These staff members are
among the most experienced and credentialed code officials on our staff.
In addition to making and applying code interpretations, code administrators also provide
ongoing training for customers and staff. In years past, training was provided to customers and
staff in the same room at the same time, in an effort to facilitate open dialogue. Despite our best
promotional efforts, those meetings had little customer participation. In 2019, the code
administrators overhauled these meetings into monthly staff-focused trainings, called “Code
Academy”, and quarterly customer-focused trainings, called “Code Connections”.
While customers are still welcome to attend Code Academy meetings as desired, in Code
Connections, all trades meet together, which brings higher attendance and networking
opportunities. The code administrators added a keynote lecture component, a departure from
the previous Q&A format, in addition to open discussion. Most importantly, the code
administrators incentivized attendance by seeking and obtaining approval for continuing
education credits from the ICC, AIA, engineers, electrical contractors, and the North Carolina
Licensing Board for General Contractors.
Attendance has since skyrocketed, customer dialogue has increased, and in 2020, the National
Association of Counties (NACo) recognized Code Academy and Code Connections with an
Innovation Award. More: Code Information & Appeals webpage and Interpretations Library
CODE INFORMATION & RESOURCE CENTER
The most inexperienced customers of Code Enforcement are typically homeowners who choose
to act as their own contractor. Even when hiring a contractor, homeowners frequently
experience frustration due to lack of understanding of the permitting and inspections processes
or the task of hiring a reputable contractor.
Due to Mecklenburg County’s proximity to another booming community across the state line in
South Carolina, there are plenty of contractual opportunities, which attract inexperienced and
out-of-state contractors, both of whom struggle with North Carolina’s building code due to lack
of experience and familiarity.
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