Software for Proactive and Reactive Code Enforcement

How Cloudpermit gives governments opportunities to think ahead and work in the field with ease

Code enforcement officers play a pivotal role in maintaining community standards. Online code compliance software helps officers stay proactive and reactive in their code enforcement approach. This article explores the diverse functionalities that allow officers to work in the field – all on the go.

Proactive Strategies for Code Enforcement Officers

Officers equipped with cloud-based, innovative software can proactively engage with their communities in various ways:

• Survey Communities in Real-Time:
• Survey neighborhoods for potential issues with their mobile devices, like their phones and tablets.
• Gather real-time data to inform responses and funding efforts.

• Address Code Violations Instantly:
• Respond to potential code violations on the spot.
• Take photos in the field and add evidence to cases.

Online software makes it possible for staff to add photos to projects while in the field. Lambton County’s Chief Building Official, Corrine Nauta, said:

Cloudpermit will save our staff and residents time. We’ll benefit from using templates and forms that automatically get filled in. Our staff can access projects anywhere, upload time-stamped photos in the field, and work on the same projects simultaneously.”

• Generate Cases in the Field:
• Reduce paperwork and ensure accurate documentation.
• Eliminate the need to travel back to the office to reinput information.

White Oak Borough’s team cut down on traveling back to the office since they can do all their work in the field. Their Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer, John Snelson, shared:

Cloud-based software is great because you can access it anywhere. I can use a tablet when I’m doing an inspection or a laptop in my vehicle to print a violation. It makes it a lot easier to get things done right there. We don’t have to take notes in the field, go back to the office, and enter them again. We eliminate a lot of steps by being able to work in the field.”

• Print and Post Orders On-Site:
• Print orders directly from car printers for immediate action.
• Ensure prompt responses by not having to go back to the office..

The team in Lambton County can instantly issue, print, and post an order with online software. Jesse Soetemans, Lambton County’s Property Standard Officer, shared:

Issuing and posting orders will be faster. Since we have printers in our vehicles, we can issue, print, and post an order right away. I can start and finish inspections in the field without going back to the office to fill out reports. The software’s mapping feature pulls relevant information for us which is a huge benefit.”

• Plan with GIS-Integrated Maps:
• Access interactive maps to identify and address problem areas.
• Spot patterns and predict future trends for a more strategic approach.

Reactive Strategies for Code Enforcement Officers

Officers can take advantage of reactive strategies in the field with online code compliance software.

• Manage Inspections:
• Start and finish inspections in the field with any mobile device.
• Enhance efficiency and accuracy in the inspection process by adding photos to inspections.

• Search Databases:
• Search past building permits within the same software.
• Access historical data for informed decision-making.

By keeping all information in one place online, staff can find the information they need when they need it. The City of Brownwood’s Lead Code Officer explained these benefits:

I like that Cloudpermit has made it easy to review attachments and building permits without needing to access another section. Staff and our applicants can easily add notes or documents to a project. The software is really user-friendly and easy to use.”

• Use Templates:
• Quickly create cases with pre-saved templates.
• Ensure consistency and save time in reactive situations.

Templates have been a welcome addition to White Oak Borough’s toolbelt. John Snelson, Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer for White Oak, explained:

Other systems I've used required us to fill out online forums with a lot of scrolling. We also had to build our own template every time from past violations. Now, I can perform an inspection for a notice of violation with a saved template. With a couple of clicks, I can enter the right information and quickly print out the notice in my vehicle. In the field, I can easily search for violations by accessing the information I need on my phone, tablet, or laptop. Adding photos, phrases, violations, and deficiencies is also simple when I’m in the field now.”

• Organize Inspection Routes:
• Plan efficient inspection routes for maximum productivity and time savings.
• Optimize fieldwork to address situations promptly.

GIS-integrated maps are helpful for code enforcement departments to stay organized. Brownwood’s Lead Code Officer, Jose Gonzalez, said:

I like that our GIS maps are integrated into the system because it makes it easier for us to look up an address, do follow-ups, and stay organized. This software also makes it more straightforward for our supervisor to access code cases that are generated from each code officer so they can see the number of open and closed cases.”

• Create Cases with Ease:
• Reduce how long it takes to create a case with simple, online processes.
• Add relevant information in one place.

The City of Brownwood has greatly reduced how long it takes to create a case. Jose Gonzalez, the city’s Lead Code Officer, explained:

We were looking for future-focused software that would let us do our jobs faster since it was taking us a long time to generate cases and input notes. With Cloudpermit, we’ve dramatically cut down on how long it takes to open a case from 20 to 5 minutes. This software has reduced our waiting time and keeps all our information in one, accessible place.”