“We want to streamline the applicant’s process and offer a one-stop shop,” said Dan Sammon, the city’s chief building official and a certified plumbing inspector.
Sammon said the cost of the inspection varies slightly depending on the job, but it should be cheaper for customers in the long run.
“They (the health department) have a lower base fee, but we charge less per fixture,” he said.
Centerville’s base fee is $42 for new construction, and $5.50 per fixture; the health department’s base fee is $35 for new construction and they charge $8 per fixture.
“Also, the county requires an additional appliance replacement permit that costs $60,” Sammon said.
Mark Case, director of environmental health for Public Health, said Dayton, Kettering and Oakwood are the only other county municipalities that don’t use the health department for plumbing inspections.
“Under Ohio law, plumbing inspections can be provided by local boards of health or cities that have building departments,” he said.
Case noted there are some challenges for cities doing the work themselves.
“We have a long history of (the process), and we can take all the heat and flack,” he said.
Sammon said he believes the new process will be better for residents and plumbers, who won’t have to wait for two separate inspections.
Sammon has been certified since the 1980s, and will serve as Centerville’s plumbing inspector. He said the city is in the process of interviewing part-time inspectors to back him up as needed.
The new services will be offered as of Jan. 3.
Centerville’s Building Inspection Office is located in the rear of the Municipal Building, 100 W. Spring Valley Road.
Office hours are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For more information, call (937) 428-4786.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7325 or jikelley@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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