Code enforcement outlines permit and inspection trends, schedules online permitting rollout for June

Tommy Smith, who introduced the department overview, told the committee the code enforcement office comprises multiple inspectors, plan reviewers and administrative staff who collectively issued over 17,000 permits in 2025 and performed more than 123,000 inspections.

“As you'll see, we did have a decrease, year over year, '25 to '24, where we issued 4,694 permits,” Smith said while reviewing permit trends; he later summarized totals at 17,103 permits in 2025 and noted a 5% decrease year-over-year. Smith also announced a software rollout scheduled for June 2 that will allow customers to submit and track permits, schedule inspections, pay online, and reduce trips to the office. Committee members praised the staff and asked for lists of needed resources to support department operations.

A short video and on-site inspection walkthrough by commercial inspectors Tom Keller, Brian Wright and Charles Merriam illustrated common inspection activities and noted daily inspection volumes and fire-safety priorities for multifamily buildings.