GIRARD State certifies building inspection office

The city will be able to approve plans for commercial and industrial construction.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- The state has certified the city's building inspection department -- a move that should help generate income for the financially troubled city.
David Hall, part-time city engineer, said the effective date of the certification by the Ohio Board of Building Standards is Jan. 1.
He estimates the new status will generate $75,000 to $100,000 in inspection fees. The city will end up with about 60 percent of that after expenses.
"It depends on the amount of construction," the engineer noted.
Zoning permits: The city is authorized to issue zoning permits for residential construction but not commercial or industrial buildings. The city performs inspections only on residential construction and issues an occupancy permit.
For those who want to construct commercial or industrial buildings, a builder has to take the plans to a building standards board offices in Canton or Columbus.
It takes two to six weeks, Hall said, for the state to issue a building permit and the inspection process to begin.
After the first of the year, with the hiring of a part-time licensed "building official," the city will be able to approve residential, commercial and industrial construction.
Hall said he and Rex Funge, city zoning inspector, can do most of the inspections, though some may be contracted out.
"It's for the protection of the [property] owners," Hall said.
Up to code: Hall explained that some communities have been criticized for issuing building permits and not doing the plumbing, electrical and other inspections to assure they are up to code.
As a result, those who buy newly constructed buildings would be unaware of any faulty work.
The city will collect a flat $150 fee on each project. Of that amount, 0.5 percent will go to the state.
The city also will collect $4 for each 100 square feet of construction.
After the city performs the inspections, the building official will decide whether to issue an occupancy permit.
Hall said the certification has taken a year.
With it, the city can do similar work outside its borders, too.
yovich@vindy.com