County adopts electrical and plumbing code ordinances, authorizes contracts for local inspectors

Speaker 1, an unidentified meeting participant, said the State Department of Building Safety has changed its inspection approach and "has changed legislation so that counties can now do their own, electrical plumbing and permits." The speaker told colleagues the county should adopt the National Electrical Code and the State Plumbing Code by ordinance and then notify the state so local permitting and inspections can begin.

Supporters said transferring inspection authority to the county should speed up permitting for contractors and building owners. Speaker 2 moved to adopt an ordinance identified in the discussion as "278-26" to allow the county to employ its own electrical inspectors; the motion was seconded and indicated supported. Speaker 2 also moved to adopt the plumbing code ordinance described as "279-26," and members voiced approval.

The meeting record shows participants also authorized entering contracts for professional inspection services to carry out the electrical inspections described in the ordinances. Speaker 1 noted the contracts will need notarization and two signatures before the county can proceed. The ordinances and signed contracts will be sent to the state and must be published to document formal adoption.

Speaker 1 said Jefferson County is pursuing a similar transition. The record also notes that no members of the public appeared in person or on Zoom for this item.

The body concluded the item after administrative clarifications; officials said they had updated the ordinance and contract language after receiving inspector input and expected to finalize signatures and publication as the next steps.