The city of Denham Springs Permit office sent city inspector Stephen Davidson to a newly constructed residential home ready for electrical service, crucial for HVAC testing and preventing heat-related delays. The homeowner submitted an AFFIDAVIT FOR TEMPORARY – PERMANENT ELECTRIC SERVICE, clarifying it did not authorize occupancy but facilitated essential tests. Despite this, Mr. Davidson repeatedly questioned the homeowner's understanding, ultimately denying the permit on grounds unrelated to electrical safety. He failed to inspect areas beyond the kitchen and one bathroom, neglecting critical checks like circuit breaker panels.

The inspector's fixation on non-electrical issues such as municipal ordinances on grass height and vehicle registrations on private property was misplaced and exceeded the scope of the inspection's intent. This overreach underscores systemic inefficiencies in regulatory practices.

For the homeowner, it's another frustration in a lengthy ordeal since August 13, 2016, marked by 2,833 days of living in substandard conditions, awaiting recovery. The city's permitting office's actions continue to hinder rather than support residents in rebuilding efforts after disaster.

Denying an electrical inspection based on issues like overgrown weeds or unrelated framing concerns contradicts established safety standards outlined in the International Residential Code (IRC) and National Electrical Code (NEC) 70. These codes specifically address electrical safety, not peripheral property maintenance matters. Such misapplications erode trust in regulatory processes designed to ensure safety and compliance, compounding challenges for homeowners striving to rebuild and move forward.