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Model Survey for Code Officials

This survey was developed by the National Rural Code Collaborative (NRCC) through engagement with rural stakeholders in Texas and Oklahoma. The purpose of this survey is to answer the following research questions related to the goals of the NRCC for the SPEER region of Texas and Oklahoma.

1. To understand the goals and priorities of rural communities in the state, the organizations supporting rural communities in meeting those goals, and their relationship to energy efficiency

2. to understand the drivers of gaps in energy-code adoption, compliance and enforcement in rural areas of the state

3. To understand how to optimize local workforce development to improve capacity and capability of clean energy workforce in rural communities, including the balance between the demand for projects and job creation and training

In addition to building energy code experts in the state, we are seeking feedback from rural community experts, and construction workforce professionals. Your answers to these questions will inform the design of an impactful pilot program focused on improving code implementation in these rural communities for the next phase of the project. All questions are optional, but please answer to the best of your ability.
The following questions are focused on Barriers to Energy Code Compliance and Enforcement.
1.Please state your level of agreement with the following statements; (Disagree, Neutral, Agree).(Required.)
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
The cost of building permits discourages applicants from applying and is a barrier to compliance with building and energy codes in rural communities.
The cost of construction to comply with building energy codes is a barrier to meeting those standards.
The cost of construction to comply with building energy codes is a barrier to meeting those standards.
There is sufficient work to support a robust and trained contractor network in rural communities in your area
2.Please indicate the degree to which a lack of broadband access, internet access, or a reliable cellular network limits code enforcement in the following ways in rural communities in Texas and Oklahoma:(Required.)
Very little to none
Neutral - some
Almost all or all
a. Limits the use of electronic permitting
a. Hinders permit applications
a. Hinders timely inspection scheduling
a. Limits access to training and continuing education for code official
3.Do code officials working in rural communities have access to functional inspection equipment?(Required.)
4.Does your jurisdiction allow remote virtual inspections?(Required.)
5.If remote virtual inspections are allowed, how frequently are they used?(Required.)
6.If remote virtual inspections are allowed and not used, please indicate why (check all that apply):(Required.)
7.Does your jurisdiction have electronic permit application submittal?(Required.)
8.Does your jurisdiction have remote plan review services?(Required.)
9.Please feel free to add any additional comments related to potential barriers to energy code adoption, compliance and enforcement:
The following questions are focused on Code official capacity challenges.
10.How many commercial building permits are issued per year on average in the area you serve? (Can be an estimate):(Required.)
11.How many residential building permits are issued per year on average in the area you serve? (Can be an estimate):(Required.)
12.Which building codes do you enforce? Check all that apply(Required.)
13.Are you required to serve multiple jurisdictions?(Required.)
14.Does insufficient capacity of code officials delay projects in the rural communities you serve?(Required.)
15.Is capacity for inspections supplemented by third party inspectors or circuit riders in the jurisdictions you serve?(Required.)
16.How well do the local governments in the jurisdictions you serve support enforcement of energy codes:(Required.)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
17.How would you rate your own proficiency in energy codes?(Required.)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
18.How would you rate the proficiency of qualified energy assessors serving your rural community?(Required.)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
19.How would you rate the proficiency of contractors serving rural communities in the energy code?(Required.)
Poor
Fair
Good
Excellent
20.What are the most frequent issues you encounter related to the energy code compliance in inspections? Check all that apply:(Required.)
The following questions are focused on Workforce development for code officials.
21.Does your jurisdiction require certifications for code officials?(Required.)
22.Is continuing education on energy code paid for by your employer at no cost?(Required.)
23.Is continuing education on energy code provided by your employer at no cost?(Required.)
24.Do you prefer in-person training or virtual lectures for continuing education?(Required.)
25.Please indicate which of the following are barriers to continuing education (select all that apply).(Required.)
26.Are you aware of local training programs available for new code officials?(Required.)
27.If yes, who offers them?
28.Do you think there is enough code official training offered to meet demand?(Required.)
The following questions are focused on Community Education and Outreach.
29.Please indicate which the following goals and measures are important to rural communities in Texas and Oklahoma from your perspective (select all that apply)(Required.)
30.Please feel free to provide any additional comments on the role of energy efficiency in addressing the goals of rural communities.
31.What are the best methods for sharing information in rural communities? (select all that apply)(Required.)
32.Which of the following statements applied to rural communities in Texas or Oklahoma do you agree with. (select all that apply)(Required.)