BUILDING STRONG
JuneNewsletter
Congratulations,Doug
After an amazing career dedicated to protecting the public and improving the built environment, Doug Wise, Building Official for Palm Beach County, is retiring with gratitude, wisdom, and more than a few Hawaiian shirts
Doug’s career in building safety began in San Diego, where a moment on a construction site left a lasting impression Exhausted and covered in grime from the job, he noticed a clean, well-dressed inspector arrive on-site “That looks like a nice job,” he recalls with a grin and just like that, a new path was set.
DougWise BOAF2024
Years later, Doug has been the Building Official in various municipalities including 12 years with Palm Beach County, and where he has overseen a wave of transformation in the PBC Building Division. He’s most proud of the progress in customer service, launching the electronic plan review system (with plenty of lessons learned along the way), and creating career ladders that helped staff move up within inspections, the permit center, and plan review. Through it all, he’s asked a simple but powerful question: “Are you adding value?”
Doug’s advice to future building officials is clear: “Faster isn’t always better.” Efficiency isn’t about rushing, it's about meaningful action” What he values most in his colleagues and team members are integrity, honesty, and compassion and he asks reminding us to never forget our true role: protecting the public “You’re all there is between the people and anarchy,” he says “if no buildings are collapsing you’re doing a great job!”
While he’s looking forward to time with family, visiting his grandchildren and his brother in California, and fishing without bait (haha), he admits some habits will be hard to break When he goes out to eat, he’ll still be checking the spacing between the sprinkler heads in the ceiling “Drives my wife crazy”
One of his favorite memories was a conversation with Ralph Cantese when there was discussion about making the Building Division processes more efficient Ralph shared he had to visit a jobsite five times just to pick up paperwork A classic, Doug says with a laugh
Doug’s legacy is more than policy or process. It’s people. “I stand on the shoulders of great people,” he says. “The sad part is, many of them are gone but I remember them.” His motto? “Livin’ the dream.” And his theme song? Fittingly, a little tongue-in-cheek: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat.”
Doug, thank you for your leadership, your mentorship, and your unwavering commitment to making this community safer and stronger. Your impact is lasting, and you will be deeply missed.
Welcome,JohnField
We’re excited to welcome John Field as the new Deputy Building Official for the PZB Building Division!
With decades of hands-on experience and a genuine passion for mentoring, John brings both technical expertise and a human touch to the role.
John got his start as an electrician working for a mechanical contractor, later moving into civil engineering in the 1990s where he focused on site development
He helped design and build homes as well as subdivision utility systems like roadways, septic systems and stormwater drainage systems Before joining us in Palm Beach County, John served as the Building Official in Weston, Massachusetts, a town of about 14,000 people
When asked about the highlight of his career so far, John doesn’t talk about titles or awards He says it’s helping employees grow and succeed a value that guides his leadership every day
John’s vision for our division is big: he wants us to be the top choice for homeowners and contractors where they are choosing to work with us instead of private providers, because of the service we deliver
He’s focused on reducing inspection rollovers, would like to help improve permit tracking, and setting a new standard that others look to follow
He describes himself as a coach, leading with seven key values: Accountability, Honesty, Integrity, Teamwork, Professionalism, Dependability, and Respect All equally important, and all reflected in how he works with his team. Open and clear communication is one of John’s top priorities. He values face-to-face conversations, straightforward goals, and meetings with purpose. He’s also known for his thoughtful approach he doesn’t rush decisions and believes in understanding all sides before taking action
Of course, John’s not all work and no play Back in the early 2000s, he won a long-drive golf contest (and proudly wore the flashy prize shirt) He also joins Building Official Doug in a fun Friday tradition: rocking Hawaiian shirts to bring some good vibes to the end of the week Outside the office, he enjoys the beach, taking motorcycle rides, and talking about his two beloved German Shepherds who are still holding things down back in Massachusetts
John is leading our Inspections Team, Inspections Support, and our Unsafe Structures Team
If you haven’t met him yet, stop by and say hi (you’ll find him in the office near Francine �� )
John’s glad to be here and we’re just as glad to have him.
SolarAPP+
The Building Division has launched SolarAPP+, an innovative online permitting platform for the installation of residential rooftop solar systems in unincorporated Palm Beach County.
By partnering with SolarAPP+ we are effectively reducing review times for our Permit Center Team as well as our Plan Review Team Making this process easier for our customer as well as staff in the Building Division
There are over 280 local governments throughout the United States using SolarAPP+ to improve efficiency and provide fast and reliable turnarounds for local customers.
SolarAPP+ held a training session on May 12, 2025 for contractors to learn how to use the software and what the process would entail
You can find more information on SolarAPP+ on our website by clicking: https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/building/Pages/solarapp.aspx .
Nine (9) Solar APP+ Permits have been successfully issued to date
BuildingSafetyMonth
Our Division is committed to building relationships with the Palm Beach County community In an effort to keep the lines of communication open with our Contractors, the Building Division hosts several events to bring everyone together and have open dialogue
We invite stakeholders countywide to ask questions and share with us the areas that they feel are opportunities for improvement within the Building Division
Oftentimes, different staff members throughout the Building Division are invited to speak on the panel and participate in this discussion If you are comfortable and interested in joining the panel please let your supervisor know and they will make sure Building Administration is aware
Keep track of our upcoming events by visiting our website, in the latest news section
FireRescueCommunityEducatorElyseBrown,PlanningZoningandBuilding(PZ&B) BuildingDivisionCoordinatorYleanaArias,FireRescueFireMarshalDavidDerita, DeputyCountyAdministratorPatrickWRutter,PZ&BDivisionDirectorAffette McIntoshPZ&BExecutiveDirectorWhitneyCarroll,PZ&BChiefMechanicalInspector StevenCoots,CommissionerMariaSachs,PZ&BDivisionDirectorMichaelGauger, PZ&BDivisionCoordinatorWildadSalomon,PZ&BConstructionServicesAssociate ThomasBanzhaf,FireRescueSupervisorFirePlanReview/ConstructionDaveCollado andFireRescueFireInspectorGarrettTelfair
At the May 6, 2024, Board of County Commissioners meeting, some of the PZB Building Division team proudly accepted a proclamation from Commissioner Maria Sachs declaring May as Building Safety Month!
From reviewing permits to reviewing blueprints to inspecting job sites and tackling safety issues headon, our team is all about building better and safer communities across unincorporated Palm Beach County Here’s to another year of building it right!
FloodAwarenessWeek
The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners has issued a Proclamation to commemorate this year’s Flood Awareness Week March 3
7, 2025
The annual event highlights the importance of prevention, mitigation and awareness of risks associated with potential flooding.
Learn more about steps you can take to reduce flood risk damage by visiting: https://www.reducefloodrisk.org.
(L-R)BuildingDivisionDeputyDirectorMichaelGauger,EmergencyManagementDirector MaryBlakeney,BuildingDivisionDirectorAffetteMcIntosh,PlansExaminerCiaraMeyer, CertifiedFloodPlainManagerJacquelynAnderson,District3CommissionerGreggWeiss, BuildingOfficialDougWise,AssistantCountyAdministratorPatrickRutter,PublicSafety DirectorStephanieSejnohaandWaterResourcesManagerPaulLinton
BuildingStaffWinsGoldenPalm
UnderConstruction
Bynow,you’velikelynoticedsomeconstruction activityonthefirstflooroftheVistaCenter Renovationsarecurrentlyinprogress,including updatestoofficespacesandtheinstallationof newtilethroughoutthefloor
Aspartofthisproject,variousBuildingDivision sectionshavebeentemporarilyrelocatedwhile theirmainofficeareasarebeingupdated
Tohelpguidecustomers,newtilepatternshave beenadded:
GreentileontheeastsideleadstoPlan Review,Fire,InspectionsandtheCounty ClerkofCourts
Orangetileonthewestsidepointstheway tothePermittingCenter,Records,and Addressing
Customersshouldsigninattheself-service kiosklocatedinthecenterofthefirst-floor entrance,thenfollowthecorrespondingtile pathtoreachtheirdestination
Weappreciateyourpatienceduringthis transitionandlookforwardtounveilingthe completedimprovementssoon!
Wehavebeguntheprocesstoundergoafull DivisionAccreditation Managementhasbeen havingbi-weeklymeetingsdiscussingthe requireddocumentationtomakeitareality
Someofourpoliciesandprocessmaychange throughoutthisprocessandmanagementis committedtoensuringefficiencyacrossall sectionsoftheBuildingDivision
Whydowewantthisaccreditation?
Well,weareheretokeepourcommunitysafe We dothatthroughensuringthatthebuilt environmentfollowsourstatutesandthecodes Havingthisaccreditationwillhelpus communicatetothecommunitythatwetakeour jobseriouslyandweareoneofthebest,herein PalmBeachCounty Ouremployeesarethemost knowledgeableandtheaccreditationfurther reflectsthatamongstourresidents
Ifyouhaveanyquestionsontherequirementsof theaccreditation,pleaseseeyoursupervisorora memberofBuildingAdministration
Youcanalsolearnmoreaboutitbyclickingbelow
Building Divisions in Florida
Which Are IAS Accredited
City of Doral, Florida Building Department
City of Saint Cloud Florida
City of Tamarac Building Department
City of Palm Bay
City of Port St Lucie Building Department
City of West Palm Beach
Development Services Department
Sumter County Development Services Division
University of Central Florida Building Department
Village of Wellington
MilestoneInspections Website
Our Division launched a new Milestone Inspection website designed to improve public access to important information about Florida’s building safety laws and the local implementation in unincorporated areas of Palm Beach County
Key features include: A detailed overview of Milestone Inspection requirements, and A search tool and interactive map displaying the inspection status of over 500 condominium and cooperative buildings in unincorporated Palm Beach County.
This initiative follows state legislation enacted after the tragic 2021 Surfside condominium collapse, which demonstrated the need for proactive building safety measures.
In response, we have adopted the state-mandated Milestone Inspection requirements in 2024 These rules require that all condos and cooperatives, either 30 years or older, or 25 years old and located within 3 miles of the coastline, undergo periodic structural inspections and certifications
If you have questions about Milestone Inspections, stop by and see Jeff Gronborg on the first floor!
We are currently awaiting the Department of Human Resources to enter the payroll codes into HRIS Once the codes have been submitted, we will begin processing the additional compensation associated with the approved certifications