"Absolutely correct, but, let me play the idealist, L&I would get more compliance, more people pulling permits, if they were easier to deal with. Why on earth should it take a day or more to get permits and inspections done?" [Jeff Abrahamson]
It only takes a few "actual" minutes to get a permit for a simple project. Most of your time (possibly an hour or more) is spent waiting for your "number" to be called (and getting downtown and back). And, you may have to go thru a building permit guy, then a zoning guy , which can mean more waiting. If all this could be done by mail, it might be easier. But, I guess the time to get the permit would be longer still. And, even for simple projects, I can understand the necessity for a one-on-one meeting. L&I often points out a correction needed, asks a question about something-- a method, a design, a material, etc. This sort of interaction is difficult to do by mail and would only delay the process. The actual inspections are arranged usually at your convenience and are typically brief -- a few minutes. I have found the inspections by L&I to be useful and informative. The inspector can be a stickler for detail (which is good for you as the owner, possibly bad for your contractor who may have to correct a problem), and can point out things that you (or your contractor) hadn't thought of. For the most part, L&I inspections benefit the owner (unless the owner is trying to "get away" with something shoddy, hazerdous, or illegal.) Neil Lifson ---- You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see <http://www.purple.com/list.html>.
