The construction industry, in all of its vast stakeholders, have at least one thing in common; that they generally cannot choose the building official tasked with enforcing codes and standards on their construction projects. This lack of choice and the forced relationship has created tension between industry and building officials for decades and unfortunately, building officials are often viewed as a necessary evil.

When a relationship is free and voluntary between two or more parties, the parties generally agree that the transaction is sufficiently valuable. When a relationship is involuntary, one or more parties often feel that the value received is not worthy of the cost. 

As an individual who appreciates the thoughts and sentiment of some of history’s greatest minds regarding individual freedoms, I have often struggled in my role as a code enforcer. On one hand, I see the importance and impacts that building officials have on construction projects, on the other, I have also seen an erosion of trust between building officials and industry. 

Would a systemic change to the organization of enforcement and compliance relationships bring meaningful impact? Could we increase individual freedoms and enhance code compliance objectives all at the same time? Perhaps, but that is a long and grueling task, involving statutory amendments and significant resources, which is an unlikely endeavor.

What is stopping our ability to think differently as code enforcers?  A change in understanding and philosophical approach could furnish healthier and more productive relationships which lead to more value. We may never see voluntary relationships in the code enforcement industry as a systemic mechanism, but we can include the perception of voluntarism in our work. “Be so valuable that If they could choose any building official, they would choose me”, a mantra I have applied to my career as a young building official and a technique that I have strived to promote to those I mentor. 

“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” – Nelson Mandela.

When I implemented a positive change in my perception and approach, I witnessed a significant improvement in the involuntary relationships I encounter every day.  Code enforcement is not only about being correct, applying the code and promoting safe and habitable buildings, but code enforcement is a social position which the official must strategically navigate to be successful and provide value to those we encounter throughout our career. 

“Whenever we depart from voluntary cooperation and try to do good by using force, the bad moral value of force triumphs over good intentions.” Milton Freedman 

Do you have the ability to choose a code official? If so what qualities do you look for when choosing?

Want to dive deeper?

If you want to more information on what is available for a different approach to the traditional building permit process, you can check our previous article here. An alternative approach to compliance can improve relationships between stakeholder groups.

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