Code Enforcement/Greater Charlotte Apartment Association Meeting

Notes of the April 29, 2009 Meeting

LUESA-Code Enforcement held a meeting with members of the Greater Charlotte Apartment Association and the Apartment Association of North Carolina on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at the Hal Marshall Center to discuss industry concerns regarding the permitting requirements for Water Heater and HVAC replacement units.

Attendees included:

·  John Todaro, Senior Administrative Officer, State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating & Fire Sprinkler Contractors

·  Ken Szymanski, Executive Director, Greater Charlotte Apartment Association & Apartment Association of North Carolina

·  John Kozlarek, Advenir

·  Dennis Beck, Apartment Association of North Carolina

·  Ray McKeand, Sagebrush

·  Adam Ford, Crosland

·  Scott Wilkerson, Babcock & Brown Residential

·  Bo Proctor, Proctor Services

·  Stacy Tripp, Camden Living

·  Edward Prince, Interim Deputy Director, Code Enforcement, Mecklenburg County

·  Phil Edwards, Chief Mechanical/Plumbing Code Administrator, Mecklenburg County

·  Gene Morton, Chief Building Code Administrator, Mecklenburg County

·  Bill Spidel, Assistant Mechanical Chief, Code Enforcement, Mecklenburg County

·  Angela Miller, Assistant Electrical Chief, Code Enforcement, Mecklenburg County

·  Danny Plummer, Assistant Mechanical Chief, Code Enforcement, Mecklenburg County

Edward Prince, Interim Deputy Director of Code Enforcement welcomed all attendees and thanked them for their participation.

John Todaro reviewed the State’s licensing requirements. He stated: The law and regulations are clear that replacing water heaters or HVAC equipment in fact requires a permit, and must be performed under the supervision of a Licensee. The replacement of components, such as HVAC compressors is in fact permissible without a license, under the current definition of “minor repair”. It is acceptable to have one license per owner or management company; there’s no need to have a license at each property. It is understood that work needs to have some degree of supervision by the local licensee. In North Carolina, there is no reciprocity of licensees from other states. Mr. Todaro’s PowerPoint presentation will be made available on our meckpermit.com website (Click on “What’s New” on our home page).

Edward Prince noted that the main concerns are:

  1. Is a permit required
  2. Who can perform the work
  3. Calling for inspections at the correct time
  4. Closing out permits

A question and answer session followed. (These will be posted on our website).

Questions:

  1. What is a sublicense? Attendees were directed to www.nclicensing.org
  1. In light of the lack of education/knowledge of the scope of work being done, should something be devised to educate? NCBCC is the forum.
  1. Is this push for permits being done elsewhere, other counties? Mecklenburg County can only provide Code Enforcement within our County.
  1. When an inspection is made, what will you be looking for? Inspections are made on a case by case basis. Each job stands on its own merit and must meet minimum code and manufacturer’s specifications.
  1. Why do apartments fall under the highest license, they are commercial projects? License requirements go by the classification of property.
  1. Why are we now enforcing the requirement of permits? For the safety of the public and safer installations. It is the law.
  1. A request to delay enforcement by apartment owners was responded to by Edward Prince. This is current law. We cannot look the other way and allow you to break the law. We will work with you to resolve this issue. John Todaro agreed this is State not local law and Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement must enforce it. Phasing in enforcement is not possible

Attendees were directed to call CTAC at 704-336-3829 with any permitting questions, their field inspectors, or Philip Edwards. They can also use our online information pages.

Apartment Association Meeting.doc