Building Division

Mission Statement

Our first job is to provide responsive, user friendly, professional plan checking, building inspection and code compliance services to the Soledad community by contributing energy and creativity to the overall team effort.

Departmental Functions

Building Division provides the community with safe, habitable structures and enhances the quality of life for residents and the business community. The Department assists developers and anyone performing construction in the community by providing general guidance and interpreting the building codes as to construction procedural and technical requirements. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In the last several years new construction has averaged 240 New Single Family Homes, 61 Multi-Family Residents and numerous other types of permits. This division is prepared to continue serving our community and the residents.

Major Accomplishments FY 2004-05

• Performed audits and code enforcement for key properties
• Plan checked and inspected 240 Single Family Residential units
• Contributed $700,000 in Building Permit fees to the General Fund

Future Goals and Objectives

Service Delivery and Program Development

• Continued Annual Business Inspection program to ensure code compliance and safety of commercial buildings, especially aging buildings in the downtown area.
• Continued Certificate of Occupancy Program. Inspections are geared to life safety and occupancy issues.
• Enhance and improve Code Compliance program in coordination with Planning Department and Police Department. Develop and implement a new complaint management system. Assist in developing a neighborhood based outreach effort to promote voluntary correction of code violations and property maintenance standards.
• Continue the proactive enforcement program.
• Provide timely plan review and inspections. Develop more cost effective programs.
• Achieve greater cost recovery for programs within Code Enforcement and Building Insspection departments.

Training

Training in the following areas will be achieved with a minimal amount of dollars:

Search Warrants, Trespass Issue, Interviewing Techniques, Incident Command System, Search and Inspection Warrants, Legal Aspects of Code Administration, Building Department Personnel Management, Communication for Code Officials

Professional Affiliations

Maintain professional participation in the following organizations:

International Conference of Building Officials, Building Officials and Code Administrator's, Central Coast Joint Data Committee, California Building Officials

Council Goals

The proposed projects are targeted to better serve the community, encouraging businesses in the community to change the way they are perceived, to invite other industries to locate here and continued economic growth for the community. The Building Department is ready to meet the challenge set forth by the Council and the Community.