The office of Chief Building Inspector Brian McCray is now located on the second floor of Polk’s Administration Building in Cedartown.

McCray speaks with pride about the remodeling project that converted unused space in a former meeting room so that his staff could move into larger quarters.

“Four people in this department were formerly housed in a 30x30 space downstairs,” he said.

Once McCray’s department moved to the second floor, the Board of Elections and Registration office was expanded.

Other unused areas in the building have also been remodeled for additional office space, according to County Manager Matt Denton.

McCray also said building projects - remodeling, additions and repairs - plus mobile homes were up more than two percent in 2012.

Current commercial projects include a weighing station at the new Vulcan rock quarry off Flint Hill Road, and an addition at Victory Baptist Church. Dollar General also plans to open a new store on Highway 27, south of Cedartown.

In January 2013, the permit value of buildings in Polk totaled $280,000. A total permit value of $4,665,277 was listed for projects from June 2011 to June 2012.

McCray said that Georgia has new procedures for residential projects to ensure that all aspects of a building’s thermal envelope (walls, windows, ceilings, floors and foundation) are both well insulated and air-sealed effectively.

To ensure air sealing is executed appropriately, the energy code requires that builders pass a blower door test to verify that the home is not “leaky.”

The residential energy code also ensures that the HVAC system is sized properly, and that its ductwork is efficient and properly installed. For example, the energy code requires that builders seal their ductwork with mastic, and that the ductwork passes a leakage test.

McCray said he is working with police officers to determine if any illegal building is underway in Polk.

“I have asked contractors and builders to post the orange permit they receive near the road,” he said. “This makes our job easier since we don’t have to call the office to determine if a permit has been issued.”

He emphasized that any structural alterations or additions more than 120 square feet must have a permit – even if it is only a pole barn.

For more information about building permits and/or requirements, call McCray at 770-749-2104.