Mohave County advisory code board reviews 2024 building-division performance, elects officers and sets next meeting

The Mohave County Advisory Code Board on Jan. 14, 2025 received a year-end report from building-division staff that summarized inspections, staffing changes and enforcement activity for 2024, then handled routine business including approval of minutes and election of officers.

Building-division staff member Smeby told the board the division issued 965 certificates of occupancy in 2024 and conducted roughly 37,000 scheduled inspections for the year. Smeby said inspectors achieved an 84% approval rate on first inspections and that total inspections rose by about 2,000 from 2023.

Smeby described changes to several programs. He said the county no longer performs state manufactured-housing inspections after the state declined to renew an intergovernmental service agreement and now conducts its own inspections. He said the division renewed contracts for blight-abatement contractors and third-party plan-review services, began electronic plan review and submittal processes and is transitioning to a new permits software system. "The new software program that we're gonna be using for our permitting system will have an inspection request application built into the software," Smeby said, adding staff expect the system to be functional by midyear.

On staffing, Smeby reported two inspectors left in 2024 and were replaced, the division hired one plans examiner and was interviewing for a second plans-examiner position. He also said inspectors and plans examiners received 10 new certifications in areas that included electrical and septic inspections.

On enforcement, Smeby summarized the unsafe-structure program and recent ordinance changes that affect appeals. He said 87 unsafe-structure cases were closed in 2024; the county abated 12 of those cases at a cost of about $96,000. The division reported 98 active unsafe-structure cases and estimated an owner-compliance rate of 68%, with an approximate cost savings to the county of $205,000 from voluntary compliance efforts.

Smeby also reported the building-red-tag (construction without permits) program closed 47 cases in 2024 and had about 87 active red-tag cases. The division has begun recording notices of noncompliance on property titles to flag unresolved violations; Smeby said the practice has prompted owners to address violations so title companies will not block sales. He said the county recorded four new enforcement liens last year, with an outstanding lien total of about $338,000 across roughly 34 active liens.

Board members complimented the division’s work. A commenter identified in the record as Charles said, "You're doing a great job, and things are going very smooth, very, systematic and also educational for the trades." Another participant said plan checks were "very smooth lately." Board members asked staff about the inspection-scheduling system and were told the new permitting software will replace the current IVR line so permit holders can schedule inspections from a phone or computer.

Votes at a glance

- Approve minutes (Oct. 29, 2024): Motion to approve minutes moved and seconded; voice vote, all in favor. Outcome: approved. - Reappoint chair (Richard Hamilton): Motion to reappoint moved and seconded; voice vote, all in favor. Outcome: approved. - Elect/confirm vice chair (Peter Proffitt): Motion moved and seconded; voice vote, all in favor. Outcome: approved. - Set next meeting date (April 29, 2025 at 2 p.m.): Board agreed to set the next meeting for April 29, 2025 at 2 p.m.; no formal objection recorded. Outcome: set. - Adjournment: Motion to adjourn moved and seconded; voice vote, all in favor. Outcome: approved.

The board recessed routine business after the report and concluded the meeting by scheduling its next session for April 29, 2025, at 2 p.m. Staff said the building division will continue implementing the new permit software and returning with updates as midyear progress warrants.