La Crosse inspections chief outlines how orders to correct, condemnations and vacant-property registration work

David Reinhardt, the city’s chief building inspector, told the City of La Crosse commissioners on Feb. 4 that his department oversees a range of permits and a multi-tiered enforcement process for property maintenance, condemnations and vacant structures.

“I’m David Reinhardt. I’m the chief building inspector for the city of La Crosse,” Reinhardt said, and then described his staff: four building/HVAC inspectors, electrical and plumbing inspectors, code technicians, enforcement techs, a floodplain/chronic-nuisance technician and an administrative assistant. He said the department is fully staffed.

Reinhardt listed common permit types that require inspection — additions and remodels for single- and two-family homes, commercial work, accessory structures and solar installations — and said the inspections group also issues all sign permits under a robust local sign code. He described the city’s maintenance and inspector districts and noted electrical and plumbing inspectors work citywide.

On enforcement, Reinhardt described the department’s use of an “order to correct” (OTC) for violations such as garbage and…