Building (Department 280)
James Trout, Chief Building Official
Description and Mission
The Elbert County Building Department focuses on safeguarding life, health, property and public welfare by regulating the design, construction, material quality, occupancy and use of all buildings and structures in Unincorporated Elbert County. Our goal is to ensure the safety and welfare of our citizens through efficient and consistent application of adopted codes and standards.
Accomplishments, Goals, and Objectives
Accomplishments 2022:
In 2022, the Department was reorganized. The major change being the designation of the Chief Building Official as the Department Manager. These were previous two separate positions and combining the technical and administrative leadership of the Department allowed for hiring of an additional Plan Review Tech to address a large permit processing backlog and reduce the office time required by the Building Inspectors.
Goals and Objectives:
In 2023, new policy requiring the licensing of contractors who pull permits for work in Elbert County will ensure familiarity with code requirements and maintenance of insurance. This will not impact homeowners who pull their own permits and do their own work or act as their own General Contractor. The intent is to provide some protection for the County's citizens without being unduly burdensome to those who do business here. Additionally, the Department will be implementing processes to help work more efficiently for the public and internally between departments. This will streamline the permitting process for enhanced public service and reduce expenditures.