City building officials

[Manuel Gonzalez]

Just wondering what authority do building  officials really have. My local  city officials make me jump thru hoops every time I ask for permits or inspections. I've had to wait for like 4 days in different  occasions  for an inspection. When before it was done that day or early next day.  A permit for window replacement  and to build a staircase on the outside took me 3 weeks. With me turning in all the correct  paperwork. I'm asking cause I'm turning a commercial  building into residential  all the buildings down the street have been turned into residential mine used to be a restaurant up until about a year ago I have all utilities they just mentioned that I need to get a  ocupancy  certificate to live in it. I feel like renting it out with out them inspecting it because I feel like they just are going to find  something small to  drag their feet again. They drug their feet on me for like 5 weeks on a 5 plex I had ready to rent they came back at me with small  stuff like a exterior door was 3/4 above  flush "tripping hazard"   no light on  a small hall way, etc... I fixed it in all  in a day  I told them I don't mind fixing stuff they wanted fixed it's just killing  me to wait that long for them to tell me

So what im really asking here in tx if I rent it out cause  I have all utilities  do yall guys think they can come back and make me show them property  I always thought a ocupancy  certificate  is good across the board for restaurant or home

I know I'm supposed  to get along with building inspectors but I've gotten to the point  where they are just literly trying  to give me a hard time so I figured  I have to stand my ground sooner or later 

[Belinda Lopez]

Lake Jackson is pretty small as is Brazoria County. You might try using a 'strawman' contractor or manager going forward. All they are is the front facing authority that will be applying for permits and inspections on behalf of your LLC. Having an LLC or partner would be especially for you in this situation. If there is a general contractor out there you can partner with to help with the process it could be worth it. If you're doing everything in your personal name and your personal name is raising red flags, time to create an LLC, partnership or other that can help you.

Good luck!