State mandates mean more work for city codes enforcement
NORWICH – Code enforcement departments throughout New York are going to have a lot more work to do now that the state has adopted new regulations. City of Norwich Code Enforcement Officer Jason Lawrence addressed the city’s finance & personnel committee Tuesday, explaining that the city has little choice in adhering to the new fire prevention and building codes. “This must be moved along. The state codes must be abided by. The council is responsible for setting the fee schedule,” he said.
“The big issues are going to be the fees and the operating permits,” Lawrence said. Under the new state mandates, any public facility capable of holding more than 100 individuals will be required to apply for and be granted an operating permit. In addition, the new requirements will mandate that permits be required for electrical work, which was previously not required, and that the codes enforcement officer is the only person who can sign off on a form of compliance, allowing permits to be processed. The state mandates also require a pre-inspection be done before any work can begin, effectively doubling the work load of the codes department.
“We want to promote safety and the development of the city’s neighborhoods,” said Ward 6 Alderman Robert Jeffrey. “We don’t want fees so steep they discourage investment in the community.” Ward 4 Alderman Walter Schermerhorn agreed, explaining he thought fees for permits should be extremely reasonable. “If they violate the codes, the penalties should be steep. We want to reward people for honesty.”
Last year between 300 and 350 permits were issued in the City of Norwich. Lawrence knows the new regulations mean a lot more work, but he can see the positive effect as well. “I’m going to have more communication with these guys,” he said. “I will know what is going on and if there is a permit for the work being done, because all of the permits must come from us,” Lawrence said.
No decision has been reached about the fee schedule for the new state mandates. Finance committee members say they do not want permitting fees to discourage people from having work done. The issue has been moved to discussion by the full council.
“The big issues are going to be the fees and the operating permits,” Lawrence said. Under the new state mandates, any public facility capable of holding more than 100 individuals will be required to apply for and be granted an operating permit. In addition, the new requirements will mandate that permits be required for electrical work, which was previously not required, and that the codes enforcement officer is the only person who can sign off on a form of compliance, allowing permits to be processed. The state mandates also require a pre-inspection be done before any work can begin, effectively doubling the work load of the codes department.
“We want to promote safety and the development of the city’s neighborhoods,” said Ward 6 Alderman Robert Jeffrey. “We don’t want fees so steep they discourage investment in the community.” Ward 4 Alderman Walter Schermerhorn agreed, explaining he thought fees for permits should be extremely reasonable. “If they violate the codes, the penalties should be steep. We want to reward people for honesty.”
Last year between 300 and 350 permits were issued in the City of Norwich. Lawrence knows the new regulations mean a lot more work, but he can see the positive effect as well. “I’m going to have more communication with these guys,” he said. “I will know what is going on and if there is a permit for the work being done, because all of the permits must come from us,” Lawrence said.
No decision has been reached about the fee schedule for the new state mandates. Finance committee members say they do not want permitting fees to discourage people from having work done. The issue has been moved to discussion by the full council.
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