Tompkins County staff outline six-part building code study implementation; 9-1-1 addressing, permit software and wetlands rules flagged

County staff provided a status update on implementing recommendations from a building code study completed last year. The study identified six main strategies: centralized 9-1-1 addressing, shared building permit software, recruiting and staffing coordination, shared court services, specialized technical assistance, and municipal-to-municipal shared staffing. Staff distributed the study and noted many recommended actions require local government follow-up.

9-1-1 addressing: Staff said a county-led addressing authority would require memoranda of understanding with each municipality. County GIS staff have been working to reconcile municipal address lists; a county official and emergency response staff can help draft an MOU if municipalities agree to consider it. Members noted that every municipality would have to consent and some municipalities have raised staffing concerns about transferring addressing authority.

Permit software and shared services: Several municipalities have adopted commercial permit systems; Town of Ithaca, Town of Lansing and City of Ithaca use a common vendor, and other towns use CloudPermit or are exploring vendors. County staff said multiple vendor demonstrations were held and that coordinated joint contracts have not been pursued. County staff offered to provide vendor contacts to municipalities that want demonstrations.

Recruiting and training: Human resources and workforce development staff are willing to help local governments update job descriptions and develop recruitment materials. The county has had turnover in code enforcement officers and the study found many distinct job descriptions that could benefit from coordination. Training opportunities in 2024 included about 30 sessions through the Southern Tier Building Officials Association (STBOA).

Contractor licensing and stormwater: County staff reported that contractor registration or licensing was discussed at a recent code officers’ meeting, and that adopting such a program locally could require amendments to municipal local laws. Stormwater management (MS4) obligations were raised; some municipalities contract through the Tompkins County Soil and Water Conservation District, and a stormwater coalition will continue work on shared approaches.

Wetlands, TMDL and flood maps: Staff flagged new state wetlands maps and a required jurisdictional determination process that may slow development reviews. They also reported that the EPA had approved a state total maximum daily load (TMDL) for phosphorus for a waterbody discussed in the meeting and that affected wastewater treatment facilities will face reduction targets or permit changes; county staff are preparing explanatory materials. FEMA’s revised flood maps were distributed in December; municipalities must adopt updated floodplain local laws (Enfield noted it has not previously had a floodplain law). County staff plan a virtual meeting with DEC to answer municipal questions ahead of adoption timelines.

Why it matters: The study envisions shared services and coordinated technical assistance to reduce costs and improve consistency across municipalities. Several proposed steps — especially centralized addressing and contractor licensing — would require municipal agreement and local-law changes.

Next steps: County staff offered to coordinate MOUs and vendor contacts, facilitate a straw poll on 9-1-1 addressing in advance of the next meeting, schedule a DEC briefing on floodplain law adoption, and work with workforce development on recruitment materials and training.