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Board discusses modernizing permitting and use of photo/virtual inspections
Summary
Members and staff discussed possible process improvements such as photo-based inspections and expedited permitting; the building official noted constraints and encouraged the board to draft recommendations for the city commission.
Board members spent substantial time on Oct. 23 discussing permitting timelines, staffing and the potential to use photo or virtual inspections for limited scopes of work.
Building official Steve Woodworth said New Smyrna Beach currently has five inspectors and described typical processing: permit issuance takes about five days, and inspections are usually scheduled the next day if there is no queue. He noted a backlog and the staff policy of processing permits in order received, and said some jurisdictions offer expedited permitting or accept photographic evidence for limited inspections.
Members proposed exploring affidavits, permit-placard verification and limited photo inspections for straightforward work such as water-heater or certain roofing inspections to free inspector capacity. Woodworth cautioned about onus and liability for the building official when accepting remote evidence but said he was open to working with the board on draft language and pilot ideas to present to the city commission.
