The Cumberland County Commission voted yesterday to perform building permitting and building inspecting duties for Pleasant Hill. This resolution comes after a town hall meeting in Pleasant Hill on October, 17th approved a resolution to allow the county to take over residential and commercial building permitting and inspections.

Under this resolution, Cumberland County will also receive all fees and compensation for said permits and inspections.

“Pleasant Hill has no ability to enforce anything,” said 8th District Commissioner Deborah Holbrook. “So, to enforce compliance, does that come back to the county then?”

“It’s still on Pleasant Hill.” Said Cumberland County Mayor Allen Foster.

One particular section of the resolution was called into question by Holbrook.

The portion reads: “Performance or permitting and inspection obligations of Cumberland County shall not be interpreted to be a certification, warranty, or endorsement of any kind or type whatsoever, as to the fitness or suitability of any structure inspected.”

“Isn’t that exactly why we do codes?” asked Holbrook.

“That’s exactly the language we had when we were in contract with the city to do our codes.” Said Foster.

“It keeps you from getting sued, that’s what that’s for,” said County Attorney Phillip Burnett.

“We’re going to help the town of Pleasant Hill out, but this is trying to cover the county’s interests,” said Foster.

“Just because you approve a permit doesn’t mean you’re approving it for a specific purpose, or that the house isn’t going to fall necessarily,” said Burnett. “It is sort of the purpose of the permit because you don’t want to put yourself out there on the vine to get sued by the homeowner.”

The resolution was approved unanimously.