Page 142 - Keller FY20 Approved Budget

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
BUILDING & CONSTRUCTION SERVICES DIVISION (100-200-14)

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION:
The Building and Construction Services Divisions primary responsibilities entail oversight of building plan review, pre-
construction meetings and building permit issuance, construction inspections, and issuance of certificates of occupancy. The
health and safety issues related to building integrity drive the Division's policies; support for development initiatives drives the
Division's customer service focus. In addition to overseeing the issuance of a variety of permits from the trades (mechanical,
plumbing, electrical) to residential accessory structures to commercial multi-story buildings, the Division also adopts, enforces,
and regularly updates the suite of International Building Codes and the corresponding sections of the City's Unified Development
Code (UDC) as they apply to all construction-related efforts in the City.

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION GOALS:
1. Provide prompt, friendly, and efficient customer service to all customers - citizens, developers, builders, and contractors.
2. Conduct quality inspections within 24 hours, Monday through Friday, and apply consistent interpretations of the building codes,
zoning codes, and Unified Development Code.
3. Increase community awareness of the Division's services through public information activities (including Development Review
Committee weekly meetings, periodic meetings with property owners and contractors, and interactive web-based information).
4. Protect Keller's distinct quality of life by encouraging voluntary compliance for property code violations.
5. Support staff's continued professional development and ability to acquire licenses and certifications through professional
training.

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION OBJECTIVES:
1. Provide step-by-step construction process details to the applicant during the pre-construction meetings to avoid confusion and
unnecessary delays related to inspections and, ultimately, the certificate of occupancy. These meetings shall provide an
opportunity to the property owner, developer, and builder to ask multiple department representatives any questions related to the
construction process prior to issuing commercial building permits.
2. Provide training opportunities for Building and Construction Services staff and Code Enforcement Staff to improve
performance by earning continuing education units for both new licenses and certifications as well as renewals.
3. Provide Code (UDC and Municipal Code) revisions and amendments reflective of community values and City Council
direction. Communicate these changes to residents, business owners, developers, and contractors.
4. Continue to reinforce our multiple open lines of communication with fellow departments involved in the permitting and
construction process to enhance working relationships and thus improve efficiency.
5. Offer efficient ways to expedite the permitting process.
6. Provide remedies to property owners for complying with property code violations. This often will include meeting the owner,
resident, controller and/or contractor personally on site to explain the City code, the violation, and the way to remedy the violation
to come into compliance.
7. Seek voluntary compliance for code violations through public education (such as the onsite meetings described above and use
of the City website) as well as working with residents, ecumenical ministry organizations, and volunteer groups.
8. Pursue the formation and implementation of a substandard structure program to support quality of life goals and community
property values.

SERVICE LEVEL ANALYSIS:
FY 2019-20
FY 2017-18 FY 2018-19 FY 2018-19 Adopted
SERVICES PROVIDED Actual Budget YE Proj. Budget
Staff Inspections 540 700 406 475
Contracted Inspections 5,835 5,750 4,297 5,100
Staff Plan Review 535 1,200 926 730
Contracted Plan Review 63 140 78 70
New Non-Residential Permits 19 30 20 20
New Single-Family Permits 122 125 130 150
Certificates of Occupancy Issued for 93 120 60 75
Existing Structures:
Other Permits 2,316 2,600 2,500 2,500
Code Cases Opened 1073 1,000 930 1,002
Code Inspections 2,910 2,800 2,578 2,744
Citations 19 30 34 26
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