Best practices book - Flipbook - Page 31
Residential Technical Answer Center (RTAC)
Introduced in 1998, this service focused on residential customers, giving them access to code information without the
need to contact either the Trade Chief or the area inspector. Customers may walk in, telephone, fax or e-mail questions to
staff, who provide quick answers to the code problems described. Not intended to be a second opinion, this service (as
CTAC) is focused on projects without an assigned plan reviewer or inspector. Since its introduction, RTAC has averaged
approximately 1000 customer calls per month, testifying to its value to the residential customer.
Commercial Technical Assistance Center (CTAC)
When Residential Technical Answer Center (RTAC) proved to be successful, we introduced the equivalent commercial
code tool CTAC in 2000. Again, the idea was to give customers access to commercial code information and quick
answers to the code problems described, without the need to contact either the Trade Chief or the area inspector. As in
RTAC, customers may walk in, telephone, fax or e-mail questions to staff, and the information provided is not intended
to be a second opinion; this service (as is RTAC) is focused on projects without an assigned plan reviewer or inspector.
Since its introduction, CTAC has averaged approximately 800 customer calls per month. Based on this success, in 2003
CTAC expanded into small, quick plan reviews as part of the OnSchedule overhaul of Commercial Plan Review.
Code Information & Resource Center (CIRC)
In 2019, the technical code assistance services of RTAC and CTAC were combined into one comprehensive unit to
create the Code Information and Resource Center (CIRC). This team still provides the same code resource assistance to
walk-in customers, answering telephones and e-mail requests; but one consolidated team now provides more significant
cross-training opportunities for the team members.
OnSchedule Commercial Plan Review Process
Though the Plan Review Task Force made several process changes in 2001 and 2002, customers were still unable to
predict the length of time required to permit a project. Consequently, in fall 2002, the Department designed a new
commercial plan review service with predictable timelines. Christened OnSchedule, and initiated in March 2003, this
radical idea gives customers the ability to schedule all reviews months in advance and submit plans only the day before,
so there is not a weeks-long queue to get into the review process. When they use plan review comments available
electronically, applicants achieve far more certainty about the permitting schedule, and ultimately, have significant
control over their timelines during plan review.
https://www.mecknc.gov/LUESA/CodeEnforcement/PlanReview/CommericalPlanReview/Pages/default.aspx
Re-Inspection Fee Program
Revised Fees Effective 10/1/02
The re-inspection fee structure is based on an evaluation of each project with regard to the project code defect rate (failed
inspections divided by total inspections for all trades) at project completion. A recap sheet showing the number of
inspections and failures per trade is issued with the Certificate of Occupancy (CO). The project’s code defect rate is
compared to the Percent Concept Fee Adjustment Schedule and, prior to issuance of the CO, either a charge or credit is
calculated based on the original permit fee and applied to the general contractor’s account. The Percent Concept Fee
Adjustment Schedule, as stipulated by the BOCC in their 9/18/02 meeting, follows:
PEOPLE • PRIDE • PROGRESS • PARTNERSHIPS
2145 Suttle Avenue • Charlotte, North Carolina 28208 • (980) 314-2633 • Fax (704) 336-3839
www.meckpermit.com
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