In the town I live in (pop. around 4,000) there is a lot of frustration with the current building inspector. I’m wondering if this inspector’s mode of operation is in line with the enforcement practices in other places. Same guy is enforcement for both zoning and building. He is a one man shop.
A couple of weeks ago a long time area contractor I know was fined $300 by the inspector. His infraction? He had shingles dropped off at a jobsite before he bought the permit. No work was done other than the pallets of shingles being dropped at the site.
Last year he pulled up next to a couple of guys in the 60s/70s age group who were out leisurely pulling weeds along the street next to their adjoining properties. Inspector pulls up and tells them they’d better get those weeds pulled or he’d write them a ticket. WTF?
He also tried to tell me that my shop is too close to the property line. It’s not, I had a survey and the previous inspector and I worked out all issues regarding setbacks and survey. Current inspector takes out his tape and tries to tell me “blah, blah, blah” when everything he was looking at was already years old and built with all appropriate permits and inspections and not a part of what he had come to inspect at that time.
I could go on, but you get the drift. These are not isolated instances.
Have any of you ever been fined for having materials dropped at a site before the permit was pulled?
Virtually everyone in town agrees that the guy has a real chip on his shoulder and does his best to lord it over whoever he’s dealing with.
I’ve never run into anything like this guy. In fact, I’ve never had a problem with any inspector over five States and thirty years.
I’m hoping for a broader view than mine, based on the hundreds of years of experience that BT members collectively have.
I’m also wondering if there is a set method to deal with an inspector who seems out of control.
Thanks for your input.
Replies
If you can't resolve it with him individually, and it sounds like that's almost impossible in this case, the only thing left is to go to his boss(es).
Somebody had to hire him in the beginning, and that someone is probably an elected official. Elected officials are much more responsive to constituent complaints than petty bureaucrats (like me--I'm a plumbing/mechanical inspector in a city of about 55,000). If you know someone who has the ear of the mayor or a city councilman or city manager, that person could take up your cause. It would be helpful to gather information, preferably documented (pictures, written statements, etc.), from other decent people in your community who've had similar trouble with this guy.
Show this stuff to the official of your choice, and ask whether anything can be done at the private level, or do you need to bring this up at the next Council meeting--not threatening, but making it clear that these are your only options to deal with an inspector who is unreasonable and abusive of his authority. Be serious but respectful.
You want to make your case overwhelmingly clear, but not present it as an attack. Present it as a community problem that deserves attention.
Have applicable code sections at hand, and city ordinances that have a bearing on specific issues where he has overstepped his authority. Emphasize that codes are for people, not vice versa.
This is a pothole in the road that most people will just drive around rather than take the time and trouble to fix, but if you can fix it, you'll be doing a lot of people a favor--not least of whom will be inspectors who try to be fair, reasonable and professional, but who are given a bad name by the few like yours.
>> Same guy is enforcement for both zoning and building. He is a one man shop. <<
Nice work, if you can get it. I have never had any problems like you describe.
Smallish town - petitioning could work, perhaps a group voicing complaints at town council meeting so they are on the public record. Letters to Mayors of small towns sometimes get "lost".
Assuming that complaints about him to the town fathers do not work (they probably will if he is just hired help):
What relation is he to the Mayor? Brother? Son? BIL?
Find out which politician he is related to, mount vigorous vocal campaign against politician at election time. Drop a little note to politician, explain it's not really him you are against, it's his appointees.
Jim
BT Mod in training?
Seriously, we also have one of those here.
Small town/county. The guys that put him there are reachable because they are elected. He's been reigned in considerably.
...The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!
I agree with others here that say to contact the guy in charge... probably the mayor... maybe a city manager in your case.
As a councilman in my town I have dealt with similar types of situations.
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
As a councilman in my town I have dealt with similar types of situations.
Hey Pete, that raises a question. How much time per month does your councilman duty consume? Just wondering.http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
Ten times as much as he's gettin gpaid for.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
That is probably the most accurate analysis yet.
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I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
I didn't know it was a paying job, or rather I assumed there was some token salary attached, but obviously not enough to be in it for the money.http://www.quittintime.com/ View Image
I would guess that all things considered I spend about 60 hours per month on city business, maybe more. It is hard to quantify.
<!----><!----><!---->
I refuse to accept that there are limitations to what we can accomplish. Pete Draganic
Take life as a test and shoot for a better score each day. Matt Garcia
My guess the shingle drop thing was a zoning problem. It is probably the way the law is written (no materials stacked around unless you are building on a permitted job) but I agree this guy is a prick.
government building inspectors are brother in laws of somebody up the ladder. they are people that wally world wont hire. They all have chips on shoulders, they all have bosses too.
Key his truck as a friendly warning.
If that doesn't work, swipe his laptop while he's at lunch and download a buncha raunchy p-0-r-n into it before you put it back in his truck. Then call his wife and the local newspaper....
If that doesn't work, call a pig farm and tell 'em you want a load of fertiliser sprayed on your lawn, then give them the guy's home address.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
Edited 4/29/2009 6:40 pm ET by Dinosaur
Sent the estimate for the materials to the neighbour. About $1500. No labour, No cement pylings, and no landing and stairs.
Just to get his cheep heart a start.
Aha! So you are there.
Sent ya two e-mails this week; no answer. Thot you were outta town or something.
You need me on the abortion next door? I'm free next week, looks like.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
I'm going downstairs to whomp up some supper. Give me a ring on the landline.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
I'm at work Dude
Hi husbandman,
Virtually everyone in town agrees that the guy has a real chip on his shoulder and does his best to lord it over whoever he's dealing with.
I've never run into anything like this guy. In fact, I've never had a problem with any inspector over five States and thirty years.
I'm hoping for a broader view than mine, based on the hundreds of years of experience that BT members collectively have.
I'm also wondering if there is a set method to deal with an inspector who seems out of control.
Well, leave it to me to always see this from a different perspective..... movie quote from Remember the Titans "Attitude Reflect Leadership Captain"....
I don't know of any part of your current servitude to your community and fellow man so this may or may not fit.......
But all too often I see, albeit hard working people, folks go to work early, work hard then go home and put their feet up. Maintaining a community takes much more than that. It takes leadership in many fashions.
Offer to volunteer working with the town council even if all it means is making the coffee and cleaning up after a meeting....after you've pulled your weight for a while....after a meeting say hey can I bend your ear for a moment?
Or better yet, run for council or mayor then you'll have the attetion of the inspector. Maybe you'll find in the town minutes the council figured they could clean up operations a bit if they had the inspector push fines....this may not be the inspectors idea....although he might enjoy it too much.....maybe the town figures the fines will help make up finances a bit and they like that idea better than increasing permit fees, then again maybe this guy just bites....now we're back to getting his attention when you're mayor.
My approach is simply....if you are already volunteering your share in the community then you already have the respect of someone who has influence with this inspector. If you're not giving to your community then it's time to do so. This great country of ours was founded on volunteers and is being torn by those that expect the "system" to run itself.
There, did I totally tick somebody off hehheheh
Pedro the Mule - Pullin' a clydesdales worth
I serve and have served on various County boards. I know exactly what you are talking about.This is a small town. I know at least as many people as the inspector. I've known the current mayor for over ten years. I know some of the council members.I'm trying to gather information and proceed cautiously. It wasn't me that was fined, just a guy I know. I have no personal battle with the man, I just see that some of what he does isn't reasonable.
Hi husbandman,
I serve and have served on various County boards. I know exactly what you are talking about.
This is a small town. I know at least as many people as the inspector. I've known the current mayor for over ten years. I know some of the council members.
I'm trying to gather information and proceed cautiously. It wasn't me that was fined, just a guy I know. I have no personal battle with the man, I just see that some of what he does isn't reasonable.
Gotcha, I'd buy the mayor a cup of coffee and say "here it is, xyz"......then always offer "what can I do to help"......back in his court, he'll either deal with it or let you know what he needs......but always do a followup with....."where are we, how can I help".....that passive agressive always kills 'em and gets results......but you gotta be willing to do what he asks if he's passive agressive back at you.......Don't you love politics heheheh......
And, tell him you love the town as it has always been and understand some things change, you simply need to understand why a man would be put in charge that has dramatically changed the way the community has always appreciated it. Take the high road and tell the mayor you're confused and need some clarification as to why this is acceptible, that in your world you see things differently and want to understand the benefits of the inspectors role as it pertains to the community.
This usually either gets positive results on your part or frustrates the dickens out of anyone that doesn't want to do their job. Have fun!
Pedro the Mule - In it to win the game
you know the town going love him, with his hard nose liabilty be low. Its always that way. the employer loves the hardnose
Pedro is pulling for how it might be. You know how it is.
#1 rule with any inspector, private or public. No matter what they say, it has to be in writing and it has to be listed in a spec book as in astm, aci, building code. if he ever state something that not regulated, you got him.
Husbandman,
This guy sounds like what was described to me on my first day of B-school. A conservative conformist.
They are attracted to positions of power, but can never get beyond that, as they lack the social skills. They tend to be low level law enforcement individuals, wife beaters, etc.
They tend to take their frustrations out on the world with the limited power, badge or otherwise that they have. Don't pick a fight with this person, just send an anonymous complaint to their superior.
WSJ
wunder if the one up in Teller and G8's are related or at least comparing notes.......
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
my city of roughly 200,000 recently eliminated its' building department because of this.
Head of the department, approx. 3 inspectors and a clerical staff of about 15
so many complaints from the citezenry about the head of the department and the inspectors---- assault, breaking and entering, abuse of their position--and so forth.
city wanted to replace the inspectors------ but civil service requirements prevented that
so after over a year of wrangling----- the mayor simply eliminated the department----- made arrangements with the county to pick up the duties- and the county hired all of the 15 clerical workers--- leaving the head of the department and the 3 inspectors out in the cold, LOL
BTW-- one of the former inspectors-- lives directly across the street from me--- he cuts his grass after 9:00 PM---and has been known to leaf blow AFTER midnight!------ putz!
stephen
Hi stephen,
and has been known to leaf blow AFTER midnight!------ putz!
That shows just how dumb he is...it's easier for a local pellet sniper to hide in the dark....he'd be better off leaf blowing around 5:15 am as the sun comes up....heh heh...
Pedro the Mule - love the smell of napalm in the morning
Just wind yours up about the same time he shuts his down & see what happens. Include about a dozen dead dandelion heads to help his lawn out....The unspoken word is capital. We can invest it or we can squander it. -Mark Twain...Be kind to your children....they will choose your nursing home....aim low boys, they're ridin' shetland ponies !!