First to Earn Accreditation in Michigan
The City of Rochester Hills Building Department has earned national accreditation by International Accreditation Service (IAS), making Rochester Hills the first jurisdiction in Michigan and eighth in the nation to receive this important recognition. Accreditation signifies that the city's Building Department operates under the highest professional and technical standards. The IAS accreditation also verifies that the department is professionally qualified to provide a high standard of public safety.
"We are truly proud of this accomplishment, and I am extremely proud of every member of our team," said Scott Cope, Director of Building and Ordinance Services for the City of Rochester Hills. "We developed a mission plan as a department in 2001 with a vision to be the best Building Department in Southeast Michigan. This plan laid a foundation of principles and beliefs, an enforcement philosophy, a mission and a vision that has been our guide for continual improvement that has enabled us to achieve this national accreditation." Mr. Cope added, "We have developed a team here that has a great sense of dedication, commitment and responsibility to the public safety of our community."
In December 2007, the IAS Building Department Accreditation on-site evaluation team conducted a full evaluation of the City's Building Department. The thirteen categories of accreditation criteria used to assess the department included basic jurisdictional information, department staff, permitting, budget, construction codes, plan reviews, professional credentials/licenses, inspections, certificate of occupancies, on-site evaluation, annual reports, re-evaluation, and complaints/appeals.
Mayor Barnett said, "This is a wonderful accomplishment and a testament to the fantastic team we have in the Building Department. To be the first in Michigan to achieve this recognition, distinguishes us from other municipalities and assures our residents the finest available service."
Throughout the process, IAS evaluators carefully assessed critical elements of the Building Department including customer service, code interpretation and enforcement. This team of three (3) IAS-trained evaluators, including practicing building officials, assessed the Building Department's expertise and its compliance with the IAS Accreditation Criteria for Building Departments/Code Enforcement Agencies. The team also visited construction sites to appraise the performance of the City's inspection process.
International Accreditation Service, a subsidiary of the International Code Council, has offered Building Department Accreditation since January 2005. Several major cities across the nation are currently going through the accreditation process.
If you have any questions, please contact Scott Cope, Director of the Building Department at 248 656-4615.
