15-Building - 2021Building Code Enforcement Fund
Purpose:
The Building Department provides efficient and effective professionally certified services for the enforcement of the adopted Florida Building Code related to building, mechanical, plumbing,
electrical, flood control, energy efficiency and handicapped accessibility. The department strives to ensure a safe built environment for Atlantic Beach. The department coordinates
development activities with Planning, Utilities, Public Works, City of Jacksonville Fire Department and several State of Florida Agencies including the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA). Our mission is to help homeowners, licensed contractors, architects and engineers properly navigate through the development permitting process. The Building Department
is also responsible for actively enforcing the City adopted International Property Maintenance Code relating to dangerous and substandard buildings and property conditions. The department
provides administrative support to other City departments and is responsible for supervising maintenance and repair of City Hall and the Commission Chambers buildings and equipment.
Key Objectives:
Offer exceptional customer service assisting applicants through the City of Atlantic Beach development permitting process. A staff of four employees manages the required submittals
for plan review and inspection for all vertical construction within the City, coordinating the approval process for several other City departments.
Monitor activities of City programs related to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Community Rating System to reduce rising flood insurance costs to property owners promulgated
by the National Flood Insurance Program. Continue enforcement of the City Flood Control ordinance for development within FEMA’s designated floodplains.
Monitor activities related to the Insurance Service Organization ratings for the Building Code Effectiveness Rating Program in an effort to reduce wind insurance rates. Maintain standards
for building plan review and inspection paying special attention to hurricane force reactions on buildings.
Improve homeowner and contractor awareness of building codes via our department website and various printed brochures.
Provide administrative support to the Personnel, Planning, and Finance department’s office at City Hall receptionist counter.
Issue, Trends and Highlights:
Due to local growth and an uptick in the economy, Building Department fees are up 40.5% thus far in FY 2013-2014 compared to the same period in FY 2012-2013.
Building Department will be transitioning to One Solution online permitting system in fall of 2014. This will streamline the permitting process and enable staff to use their time more
efficiently.
Building Department Inspectors will have laptops in their cars starting in FY 2014-2015, which will enable them to conduct more work in the field. This will save staff time and reduce
city car usage, as staff will not have to visit city hall as frequently.
Continuing the scanning process for large plans and permits currently being stored in City Hall vault. Scanning will reduce storage costs to properly retain records as required by State
law.
Continuing to improve communication of development review process related to coordination of comments and plan requirements for the Public Works and Utilities Departments. The development
review process has greatly improved resulting in less time spent by applicants waiting for approval. The Building Department has created a process to clear all expired permits requiring
property owners to obtain a final inspection.
Maintain activities related to the Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating for the Community Rating System (CRS) program and the Building Effectiveness Rating (BER) program. Our
ratings for both programs, which help reduce insurance rates, are well above the national average.
The Building Department continues to assist with enforcement of the International Property Maintenance Code and other City ordinances.