Pulaski County Building Commissioner Fred Jeffers in his office at the County building in Winamac.

What you need to know before you build any commercial, institutional or residential structure - yes, even a tool shed

(Hint: It’s really
not bad at all)

By Karen Clem Fritz

Pulaski County’s new building commissioner Fred Jeffers is a man who gives every impression of knowing the work he’s about.
Good-humored and easy to talk to, he nonetheless radiates a “been there, heard that before” attitude. He’s been around the block in the construction and building inspection business. He’s wrangled with politicians and office holders, and heard all the excuses of those who try to cut corners.

Jeffers took up his duties as Pulaski County’s new building commissioner last October. A native of LaCrosse, he worked around the U.S. for many years in the construction trade. For the past 14 years, he worked under Indiana’s state fire marshal and building commissioner as deputy director for code enforcement with the state departments of fire and building safety, and homeland security.
State law requires that all political subdivisions (such as counties and towns) enforce the state’s building codes. However, until recently, this requirement was loosely followed in many areas across Indiana, according to Jeffers.

But no longer.

Last summer the Pulaski County Commissioners decided to put some teeth into the county’s building codes. They developed a new building ordinance (which incorporates the state’s requirements), and upgraded the former part-time building inspector’s job to the new full-time building commissioner’s position, and hired Jeffers.

“Before last July, the county had control only of its residential structures, and employed a part-time inspector,” Jeffers says. “The county had to call in a state inspector to oversee commercial and industrial structures.”

Jeffers was often the state inspector who was sent to Pulaski County, so he began to know the county pretty well, especially Terri Hansen and Holly Hoover in the county health department.

But the old building department set-up was cumbersome for the county, and the waiting time for commercial inspections took too long. There were also liability issues.

“The county commissioners saw more growth coming, and began to see some things which concerned them because they had no control over the buildings,” Jeffers explains. “Some things were being built nowhere close to code, some structures scarcely better than ‘shanties.’”

Thus, the new county building ordinance was developed and adopted.

Since October, all of Pulaski County’s incorporated towns except Francesville have approved joint resolutions with the county to adopt the county’s building code and give the county’s building department authority over its commercial and residential structures. Francesville’s town board is still considering the issue, but is expected to follow suit with the other towns.

“This work is all about life and safety issues,” Jeffers says. “Building to code ensures that nobody gets hurt due to faulty wiring or weak floors or ceilings. A building is worth more when it’s built to code.”

Until it decides, Francesville will continue to call in a state inspector to oversee its commercial and industrial projects, such as the construction of the new Synergy plant due to get underway this year within the town’s zoning district.

The towns have joined with the county because “it’s foolish for each town to operate it’s own building department and hire an inspector,” Jeffers observes.

Even though it has a land use plan and zoning, Starke County has yet to adopt a county building ordinance and set up a building department. But neighboring Marshall County has a building department and an inspector that serves the towns as well as the county, similar to Pulaski County’s new plan.

There is no direct cost to taxpayers for the operation of the county building department. Office and salary costs are covered through the income of building permits and fees.

“Businesses wanted this, too,” Jeffers points out. “Potential businesses were not going to invest in an enterprise without the protection of building and land use codes. No one is going to put $2 million into a business if the building next door is not built to standards. It raises such concerns as fire and other safety issues.”

What do we need to know?

We now need a building permit to construct or add any type of “human accessible” building or structure in Pulaski County. That includes not only a store, factory, school, hospital or house (including modular and mobile), but also a tool shed, garage or swimming pool.

But not a dog house. “No human will be going into it,” Jeffers explains. “Well, presumably,” he smiles.

“Pulaski County’s building permit costs are reasonable, some are even cheap,” Jeffers notes. Some permits for pre-built sheds and small structures are even free, but still necessary.

“If you want to replace your roof, it’s usually a $20 permit,” Jeffers says. He’ll check to make sure a roof isn’t being re-shingled with too many layers.

It’s not necessary to get a permit to re-paint your house inside our out, or to put on new siding. You may replace your windows (as long as they’re the same size) or your front door without a permit.

It’s not necessary to call Fred if you’re going to change your appliances or replace the fixtures in your bathroom.

“As long as you don’t change the structure of the building, I don’t have to be notified,” he explains. “But if you’re uncertain or uncomfortable about changes being made to your structure, call me.”

It’s important to note that farm structures (grain bins, equipment storage, etc.) built on “family farms” are exempt from these requirements - except for the farm home.

Big “commercial” farm enterprises must comply, however, such as large confined hog, dairy or cattle operations or poultry and egg production facilities.

An existing structure that is damaged by fire or any other cause must be re-built to code.

“Insurance and mortgage companies want this,” Jeffers notes. “Building to code adds value to a property.”

For a new house construction, Jeffers will typically visit the site at least three times - the first before construction begins to look over the building location and plans, the second after the structure is framed, wired and plumbed (before the insulation goes in), and again after the coverings go on.

Pulaski County’s new ordinances and fee schedules can be seen at the Pulaski County Public Library in Winamac. Eventually copies will be available at all county libraries. Jeffers also invites residents to view the copy in his office at the County Building in Winamac.

Under the new ordinance, most of the county’s builders, contractors, electricians and plumbers have registered (that’s registered, not necessarily licensed) with the county building department.

Jeffers reports he has received “an excellent reception” from the people of Pulaski County. “It’s been an enjoyable experience and I don’t expect that to change.” He likes meeting residents and welcomes visitors to his office to talk or to answer their questions.

He accepted the local position because his job with the state was demanding more and more time in Indianapolis, away from his childhood home in Lacrosse where he and his wife of 43 years have finally settled after raising their children.

However, Jeffers has become so enthusiastic about Pulaski County and its potential that he plans to sell his home and move here in the next year. He likes the “whole-community-working-together” atmosphere he finds here, and doesn’t miss the state bureaucracy.
Jeffers has become a board member of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission and is helping local leaders put the tools in place for the county’s future growth. He brings a fresh perspective, and isn’t afraid to challenge some long-held notions about what the county needs, or doesn’t need, to attain a secure economic future offering wholesome living.

“I want to help this county grow in a way that will not be ‘hodge-podged,’” he says. “This will mean a lot to the county’s tax base and to the people living in our communities. We’re going to grow intelligently.”

Now and then, Jeffers receives a phone call from some of his old colleagues in Indianapolis, asking how things are going in “Mayberry.” Fred just smiles. He fully expects to have the last laugh.

Comments may be directed to ExPRESS by email at express@pulaskicountyexpress.com

Land Use Planning and Zoning in Pulaski County?

Click here to read the first story in this ExPRESS series: Not in My Back Yard!
Click here to read the second story: Commissioners okay resolution to establish plan commission

To Learn More about Land Use Planning and Zoning

Purdue Land Use Publications - click here
To see a Comprehensive Plan & Zoning Ordinances (Fulton County) - click here
Benton County land use plan gets support from residents (Lafayette Journal & Courier) - click here