Publicly Releasable Building Department Audit Report

Town of Paradise Releases Building Division Audit Report

PARADISE, CA — The Town of Paradise has released the results of an independent audit of its Building Division, conducted to assess organizational structure, permitting processes, and inspection procedures. The audit was commissioned to ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement as the Town continues to rebuild and recover from the Camp Fire.

The report, completed following a two-week review, included interviews with staff, analysis of procedures, and review of inspection and permitting documentation. The audit identifies several areas for improvement and provides clear, actionable recommendations aimed at strengthening operations, improving consistency, and restoring public trust in the Town’s building services.

Key recommendations include:

• Department Organization: Hire a dedicated Community Development Director to oversee operations and improve accountability, while reclassifying certain roles to enhance efficiency.
• Permit Processing: Provide additional training for permit staff, implement best practices for verification and documentation, and revise internal procedures to align with legal standards.
• Building Inspections: Offer comprehensive classroom and field training for building inspectors, increase oversight through a Field Training Officer, and enhance professional certification requirements.
• Public Support: Establish an ombudsman position to assist residents in resolving construction-related concerns and connect them with appropriate resources.

“These findings and recommendations will help us make meaningful improvements to our building division and ensure that our processes reflect the highest standards of professionalism, fairness, and service to the community,” said Interim Town Manager Mike O’Brien. “We are committed to implementing these recommendations quickly and transparently.”

Town staff have already begun taking steps to address the issues identified in the audit, including developing a training plan for permit and inspection personnel and reviewing the organizational structure to improve management efficiency.

The full audit report is available for download, below.