3/19/20 Local Government Operations Update

3/19/20
Operational Update:
Building & Inspections Departments

HBA Members,
Please check out the local government(s) below in which you do business to check out their latest operational protocol during this COVID-19 pandemic.  Much is the same as yesterday, but we are working with NCHBA and NCDOI to come up with Plan B in the event things get worse before they get better.  
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Video inspections are encouraged when possible to limit exposure to all.  Please talk to your inspector about this option and start making arrangements to allow for it via Face Time or some other live video conferencing.

Additionally, all of these emails will be posted to the website at the following link:  https://www.hbawake.com/local-issue

Please feel free to share and also please send me any and all experiences you've encountered so that I can help disseminate information or work through issues.  Thank you and stay safe.

Apex

• All permitting and inspection functions are operating normally at this time other than as noted below.
• No one is to be in the house when a field inspector is performing an inspection. Please ask all trades to vacate during the inspection. Please notify Mike Emig with the Town of Apex if inspectors are failing inspections due to trades in the house without the builder being notified.
• SUBMITTALS: A large drop box will be placed outside Town Hall, near the front entrance. You can drop plans and paperwork – both secured/sealed with rubber bands or in an envelope and labelled for “INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT” – in that dropbox. Payments (checks), should be dropped in the Payments box that’s already in our parking lot – also sealed in an envelope, and clearly labelled for “INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT”.  All paperwork and checks should also be labelled as to what project they pertain, and also be sure to include a phone number and/or email where we can ask questions if we have them.
• PICK UPS: If you need to pick up signed plans or permit cards, please call our office at 919-249-3418 and arrange a time for our staff to put your documents outside the front door. Be aware that staff may need a little bit of time to gather what you are requesting, so if you have a big or complicated pickup – call ahead. For smaller pickups, you can call when you get into the parking lot and wait in your car until you see staff put out your package. 
• Plans reviewers will not be available to answer questions in the office, and builders are asked to use the on-line assistance tool.
• Plan Review times will be increased by at least a day or two because of issues with traveling and letting the plans “rest” when they first come in to minimize contamination. Turn around time should remain around the 10-day goal, so long as the volume doesn’t increase significantly.

Cary

• At this time permitting and plan review functions are being performed remotely.
• Most residential and commercial building inspections will continue, though adjustments may need to be made in some cases based on staffing levels, workload and risk assessments.
• Also, Cary field inspectors will be utilizing “Live Remote Inspections” where practical for many parts of the inspections process. They are presently still scheduling most inspections “next day” but that could change rapidly based on staff availability and inspection demand fluctuations.
• They encourage individual contractors to contact 311 within Town limits or (919) 469-4000 outside Cary.
• Additional information regarding Cary services:

https://www.townofcary.org/business-development/developing-in-cary
https://www.townofcary.org/business-development/residential-alterations-additions
https://www.townofcary.org/services-publications/residential-permits-inspections/faq
Fuquay-Varina

• As of right now the Town of Fuquay-Varina is operating as normal for permitting and field inspections.
• Even though the Town Hall is closed to public they have arranged a drop box on the exterior for any over the counter permits to be dropped off/submitted as well as a pick up box for permits that have been paid for and issued.
• They are accepting payments via online as well as through their payment drop box.
• Their e-Permits portal is and has been working great and is now being utilized at about 95%. They are able to handle these totally electronically.

Garner

• They are currently operating all of their development services functions on a normal schedule.
• However, things are changing rapidly and they are continuously evaluating what they have to do to provide continuity of operations.

Holly Springs

• All Town of Holly Springs buildings are closed to the public, including Town Hall, until further notice.
• While their facilities are closed to the public, the work of government continues. Critical services, including development services work, will continue uninterrupted through the COVID-19 response.
• Staff are working normal business hours with several operational changes to encourage social distancing as recommended by federal and state officials. Click here to read more on their website. 
• Engineering and Planning & Zoning Departments are currently operating on normal business hours. However, they are implementing several operational changes to encourage social distancing as recommended by federal and state officials.
• Offices continue to be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. However, customers are asked to request assistance via phone or email, rather than visiting Town Hall in person. 
• Email or phone communication are the most productive methods to reach staff at this time. Contact information is available through the Staff Directory on the Town’s website, (www.hollyspringsnc.us) or by calling the Engineering Dept front desk at (919) 557-3938 or you can reach the Planning & Zoning Dept at (919) 557-3908 or hsplanning@hollyspringsnc.us.
• Each Department’s webpage also offers many answers to common questions: www.hollyspringsnc.us/planning and http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/624/Resident-Info-Do-I-Need-a-Permit and http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/123/Engineering
• Read the full release for more details, including information on submittals, meetings and inspections at: http://www.hollyspringsnc.us/1848/Development-Services
• Subdivisions: They will now accept electronic plans (no need for paper)
• Drop Box: Anything put in the drop box in the lobby won’t be looked at for 24 hours.
• Where in-person meetings are needed, they are setting up a Zoom account for video conferencing.

Knightdale

• All inspections are handled through Wake County Gov't.
• They will not be conducting face-to-face meetings for the next thirty days and will not accept walk-ins at this time.
• Development meetings can be conducted via conference call or via email.
• Driveways/Sidewalks, Set-back, and Certificates of Occupancy inspections will only be performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
• They are asking that all customers use the Wake County Permit Portal to apply for permits, process payments, and schedule inspections.
• The link to the Wake County Permit Portal is: https://energovcitizenaccess.tylertech.com/Wak…/SelfService…

 Morrisville

• They are operational in terms of permits and inspections with no changes to their normal practices and timelines at this time.

Raleigh

• The Planning and Development Department continues to take steps to minimize the exposure of COVID-19 to both our staff and our customers while still providing services. As the safety and security of our community remains the City of Raleigh’s top priority, we will take the following measures effective Thursday, March 19 at 8 AM:
• Customer Service Center: In order to follow CDC guidelines for maintaining a safe social distance, staffing will be limited.
• Litchford Road Residential Office (8320 Litchford Road): Services will be suspended, and the office will temporarily close to the public.
• Customer Service Center (One Exchange Plaza): Will open by appointment only.
• 30-minute appointments can be scheduled online via http://bit.ly/2x09wgX.
• Staff will be available to assist with scheduling at 919-996-2495.
• Walk-ins will not be accepted.
• Applications and supporting documents will continue to be accepted via email at downtownDS@raleighnc.gov or litchfordDS@raleighnc.gov.
• Permit and development activity can also be managed via the Permit and Development Portal. We encourage all our customers to utilize our online services as much as possible. We appreciate your patience as we all work together during this challenging time.

Rolesville

• All inspections are handled through Wake County Gov't.
• They are open and accepting permits by appointment.
• Information is updated regularly and can be found on the top of their website at: https://www.rolesvillenc.gov/rolesville-covid-19-update

Wake County

• They are working to get the credit card limit raised or removed so payments made online are not held up.
• Several inspectors that are taking leave rather than chance contact with the virus.
• They have a full load of inspections (317 requested for today). They relisted nine yesterday so 97% of inspections are being done next day. 
• They are delaying HVAC changeout and water heater changeout inspections for now (with consensus from installers). 
• All other inspections are being conducted as normal. 
• Permitting are pretty much as usual.
• All residential plan reviewers are working from home.

Wake Forest

• Their Inspections Department is running at its normal schedule. Business as usual!

Wendell

• All inspections are handled through Wake County Gov't.
• Wendell remains functional for permitting and inspections at this time.
• They are evaluating appointments and drop offs rather than having residents/builders lingering in public spaces with others.
• They are making accommodations for non-controversial items to continue thru the Planning Board and Commissioner approval process to ensure due process.
• They are evaluating options for items that may cause greater public participation to reschedule or seek accommodations that balance public health, public participation, and due process. They only have 2 projects that fall into this category at this time.

Zebulon

• All inspections is handled through Wake County Gov't.
• The Town of Zebulon’s Planning Department is still operational.
• They currently have staff that is working from home and are scheduling particular days to do conduct applicable zoning inspections.
• They are encouraging that all contractors and builders submit payments through the building permit portal whenever possible and conduct all business through e-mail, phone, or other online resource instead of coming into the office.
• All phone numbers are being forwarded to appropriate staff and they are attempting to maintain response times and customer service.

Sincerely,
Paul Kane
Executive Vice President/CEO
pkane@hbawake.com

Suzanne Harris
VP Governmental Affairs
sharris@hbawake.com