I'll tell you what we can do, we can train you. Now just to clarify you come into our office on any given day and if it's an over the counter item you should be out of here in less than 15 minutes.
If you work in that nearby county, you shouldn't be getting any calls, you should have been providing the information that was needed when you went in and applied for the permit. Giving me only partial information when you come in may get you your permit faster, but it's sure gonna hang you up at the back end when you're looking for final and I'm making you submit as-built plans and proper energy forms (if you're in CA). Always try to "front load" the project.
As for the CA energy forms and regulations, they have been around in some form or another since the 70's, I cannont believe how many times I have to either send plans back or hold up final, because the EC has no idea what I'm talking about.
People tend to look at the people that enforce the codes or regulations and blame them for creating them. Many people tend to overlook the fact that things such as, night sky or building style, comes from the community that asks that something be done, so that people aren't builing some big purple building next to them, but those same people also tend to be the ones that start screaming when thye can't build it, saying "I meant them not me, I didn't know those rules applied to everyone."
For years and years I have pushed for public education, but I find that the public doesn't necessarily want to be educated.
Ok, rant over. Sorry I've been sick for like two weeks and I'm just not feeling well still.:roll:
Been awhile since this post, but here is my reply.
The information they call for was not something listed on the application, so how could I give it then?
Today is a perfect example too. I called in an inspection yesterday, was told to call back at 8:30 today to find out who does it and arrange to meet. I called at 8:30, they were in a meeting, told to call back in 15 minutes. I've called every 15 minutes & it's now 10:15. The last person I spoke with was the only 1 who would take a message. The others said couldn't do, because they didn't know who would have the assignment. Duh, they can write a note & announce after the meeting that whoever has this, please call me to arrange meeting.
A private business could not do business this way & stay in business long. Government agencies can easily do so. They have all the power and advantage.
As far as in & out in 15 minutes, the shortest wait I ever had in that office was about an hour and a half, for a simple permit. I guess they had ideal conditions that day.
I had nearly forgotten this, but another jurisdiction nearby turned down a sawpole we installed a few years ago. I admit, the contraption was ugly. We had used it before where we were told it would be an UG feed. Got there & it was overhead. Scrounged all we had on trucks & made it a "convertible", for multi use. Used it on many jobs afterward & set up for over or under as needed. Inspector failed it. Boss called him, he hemmed & hawed, put his boss on the line. His boss hemmed & hawed, finally said, "no code violations, nothing dangerous, we just don't like it. We don't like the way it looks". We did a lot of work in that area & couldn't afford to tick off the dept there, so we didn't go to the state. But that was an abuse of authority. I could understand if he found something unsafe, whether code or not. That same inspector would whine if someone was a minute late meeting him, though he was late himself more than we were.
Fortunately, these are not everyday occurrences, but there are officials out there who overstep authority and some office staff who have little motivation to provide assistance.
So you still want to "train me"? Start with some of your compatriots.
