After not being able to hire a building inspector, the City of Dawson Creek is taking a new approach. As of December 15, the city will transition to a virtual building inspection and permit support service.
“We’re excited about this change and the opportunities it brings,” said Devon Aaroe, General Manager of Major Infrastructure and Development. “Virtual inspection services will allow us to keep projects moving and continue supporting residents, builders, and contractors with the same level of professionalism and care they expect while we plan for the future of the Building Inspection role.”
The city said that through this new approach, residents and contractors can expect continued access to building and plumbing plan reviews, virtual inspections, application support, and general assistance with permits and development inquiries.
The temporary move comes after a four-month search to fill the building inspector position.
“After several months of trying to recruit locally, we saw this as an opportunity to try something innovative,” added Bill Darnbrough, Development Services Manager. “We believe this model can bring real benefits to our community - faster service, more flexibility, and better use of technology.”
Officials say the change will help the city maintain inspection coverage, improve service consistency and introduce new digital tools to make the building process easier and more efficient.
For more information about building inspection services or to schedule an inspection, please visit dawsoncreek.ca/building.