Building inspections way behind

Wait for building permits so long developers starting without them

A years-long backlog in Edmonton construction inspections means there’s a risk some work will never be checked, an auditor’s report says.

That’s just one of the problems with building permit and inspection services identified by city auditor David Wiun, who found the section needs to become more efficient and provide better service.

His report points out numerous areas where things could improve:

There were 42,224 “delinquent” permits last June that still needed inspections before they could be closed, some as much as a decade old

hile that was down 30 per cent from the number outstanding in 2012, Wiun estimated clearing the backlog will take until the end of 2016.

“There is a risk that at least some inspections will never be carried out because construction is probably complete and the work is inaccessible,” he wrote.

“Fundamentally, the backlog indicates that a significant portion of work is either not being adequately inspected or not inspected at all.”

The wait for building permits is becoming longer. In 2012, 38 per cent of them weren’t issued for at least two weeks — up from 20 per cent in 2008 — and slightly fewer were handed out within a day.

“Due to these timelines and delays, the industry is starting construction before receiving building permits,” Wiun wrote.

“Members of the development industry indicated that they cannot afford to wait for (the section) to approve permit applications or conduct inspections.”

T he city cou ld have saved $1 million in 2012 by sending staff to do electrical inspections instead of the contractor hired to do the work.

Using a contractor cost $75 for each of about 30,000 inspections, compared to $41 it would have cost to use city employees.

As well, the number of inspections done by the contractor at multi-family and commercial projects could be reduced, Wiun concluded.

For exa mple, at one row-house development the city was charged $1,575 for underground service cable inspections for all 21 units, when only four inspections at a cost of $300 were needed.

Some of the delays and inadequate supervision Wiun found were the result of being short-staffed during Edmonton’s continuing building boom.

The current planning branch, which covers the permit section, was given money in this year’s city budget for an extra 32 positions, which is expected to deal with construction growth and the inspection backlog, the report says.

Managers have accepted all eight of his recommendations, including an improved service model, creating service targets and reviewing the way electrical inspections are handled.

The report will be discussed next week by council’s audit committee.

Coun. Andrew Knack said Thursday he has heard that it takes longer to receive permits and have plans approved in Edmonton than in other centres, but he’s waiting to see data expected to be available by April.

He’d like more of the approval process put online, allowing people to track their applications and find any bottlenecks.

He also supports setting goals so customers and staff know what targets need to be met.

“Assuming (construction) is done right, approving it quicker will save on costs, which hopefully will result in a more affordable product for the consumer.”

John McNicoll, executive director of the Edmonton Construction Association, said although some of his nearly 1,200 members from the commercial construction sector want permits to be ready faster, the situation is improving.

“I would like to go on record in appreciating the city’s efforts in making us a leader in permit timing. The speed permits are put out is better than many, many cities.”