Permit coordinator explains certificates of occupancy and why inspections matter for property owners

Brenda Albert, identified in the presentation as the city’s permit coordinator, said issuing certificates of occupancy is an important FMPS responsibility that confirms buildings are approved for their intended use. "I'm the person in line when you need to have get repairs on your home, new residential homes if you're just building or if you need a commercial use and occupancy or commercial permit," Albert said, describing the department’s role in permitting and inspections.

Albert and the presenter said processing building and electrical permits and issuing miscellaneous permits for a variety of projects creates a documented inspection trail: periodic inspections during a project provide a record owners can rely on if there are problems with contracted work. The presentation framed permits and inspections as both a consumer protection and a regulatory tool to confirm safe occupancy.