“Building a Strong Foundation Today, for a Safer Community Tomorrow”

Accreditation Overview

• Demonstrates that departments implement best practices for public safety.
• Independent verification to ensure that departments are competent and meet nationally recognized standards. 
• A performance tool that helps departments proactively establish, and assess goals for public safety, customer service, budgeting, professional development, and other related functions. 

Accreditation Benefits

• Only 5 Building Departments in the State of Florida are accredited.
• Only 21 Building Departments in the United States are accredited.
• Increased efficiency.
• Increased level of customer service.
• Potential for lower insurance premiums.
• Positive impact on the real estate market.
• Enhanced life safety measures.

Policies and Procedures developed by the Building Department to ensure quality customer service, include:

• Bi-Monthly Stakeholder Meetings.
• Management site-visits.
• Express Permits a.k.a. "Master Permits" for single-family homes.
• iMS Software Implementation.
• Quality Assurance Program.
• Department Service Goals.
• Multilingual Inspection Call-in and Text Software Programs.
• Contractor and Homeowner Feedback Surveys.

In January 2022, the International Accreditation Service (IAS) recognized the City of Palm Bay Building Department as being “the first Building Department in the United States to attain IAS Building Department Recognition”. 

The Building Department Recognition program is a substantial achievement for any Building Department to attain, however, Building Department Recognition serves as a first step toward an agency considering IAS Building Department Accreditation. This next step demonstrates that departments implement best practices for public safety. We are happy to announce that as of May 17, 2023, the City of Palm Bay Building Department has achieved Accreditation status with IAS.

“In April 2023, Mike Bouse, Program Manager and the Lead Assessor noted that the Palm Bay Building Department is “A rare department in which we didn’t have any Corrective Actions or Concerns at the completion of the assessment.” The assistant assessor stated, “This is the most stress-free assessment I have ever completed.””

International Accreditation Service (IAS)

Accreditation Criteria for Building Code Regulatory Agencies - AC251

Building Accreditation Certificate