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1. What is adopt-a-trail?

Adopt-a-Trail is a stewardship program in which the community is actively involved in the care and maintenance of the City of Highlands Trails System. Volunteers will assist City staff by monitoring and maintaining the City’s Trail System. This unique opportunity combines recreation and physical fitness and helps our community continue to thrive.

2. Who can adopt-a-trail?

The City of Highland is looking to local residents, businesses, and community groups such as the following to join us in our efforts:

• Bicycling
• Horseback Riding
• Jogging
• Running
• Scouts
• Walking Groups

3. What is expected of an adopt-a-trail volunteer?

On a quarterly basis, volunteers are asked to assist in the care and maintenance of a City Trail section by:

• Walking and monitoring their adopted section to report trail problems, including:
  • Erosion
  • Missing Signage
  • Safety Issues
  • Suspicious or Illegal Activities
  • Vandalism
• Conducting maintenance of their trail section including the removal of:
  • Cleaning Water Bars
  • Clearing Debris from Benches, Bridges, Stairs, and Viewing Structures
  • Drainage Ditches
  • Pruning Small Limbs
  • Trash, Sticks, and Weeds

4. How long is a volunteers' commitment?

Because this is a volunteer program there is no strict time commitment. However, we encourage volunteers to commit for a full calendar year starting on January 1st. Preference on Trail Sections is given to individuals or organizations that have previously participated in the program.

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1. What time will the building inspector be at my job site?

Each day, the inspectors determine the order of their inspection workload in a manner that is operationally most efficient.  If you are interested in knowing an approximate time that your inspection will occur, you may contact the Building Division Counter at (909) 864-8732 Extension 232, and a permit technician can look up your inspection and let you know where in the order it falls within the queue.  While this does not provide a precise time of day, you may be able to ascertain whether the inspection is more likely to occur during the morning or in the afternoon.

2. How Can I find out if my building inspection has passed or failed?

The City Inspector will sign off on the job card for the proper inspection with a passed inspection. A comment may be left at the bottom of the job card. If an inspection has failed: a correction notice will be left for the code correction. At the end of each day, building inspectors enter the results of their field inspections into the City’s permit data management system. Please allow for sufficient time for the building inspectors to complete the entire day’s inspection, and enter the inspection results into the system. You may call the City at (909) 864-8732 Extension 232 to check on the inspection result the following day.

3. Why do you need to come into my home for a smoke detector/ carbon monoxide detector inspection?

Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms have very specific requirements related to electrical power, proper placement, and interconnection.  In some instances, a battery-operated smoke alarm may be acceptable. In other instances, smoke alarms must derive primary power from the building wiring.  Also, certain types of smoke alarms are required to be installed further away from permanently installed cooking appliances. Smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are important features which are intended to save lives. The proper inspection often requires visual confirmation of certain installation conditions.

4. Can you give me a list of all the inspections I will need?

Projects can vary in complexity from the construction of an entirely new building to a simple interior kitchen remodel. Similarly, the types of inspections that a project may require can also vary significantly. The required inspections are listed on the project job card. However, if you are unsure whether an inspection is necessary, you may always contact the staff at the Building Division which includes our Inspectors.

5. Do I need to be at the job site when the building inspector arrives?

An adult in charge of the property and the construction project must be present when the building inspector arrives. This individual must be authorized to serve as the property owner’s agent and must be able to authorize the inspector’s entry onto the property for inspection purposes. Furthermore, this individual must have the authority to expose any portions of the construction work which may be necessary for the inspector to evaluate the work performed. If construction deficiencies are observed during the inspection, this individual shall be responsible for conveying such information to the property owner, contractor, or another authorized agent.

6. How do I change the contractor listed on my permit?

To change the contractor on any valid permit, a new permit must be issued to replace the original permit and reflect the new contractor’s information.  In order to authorize the change, a letter is required from the property owner which releases the original contractor from the responsibility of all remaining (unfinished) work and authorizes the new contractor to complete all remaining work. The new contractor must have a valid contractor’s license and appropriate workers’ compensation insurance. A nominal fee is charged to issue the new permit.

7. Can I schedule my building inspection for a specific time of the day?

Each day, the inspectors determine the order of their inspection workload in a manner that is operationally most efficient. When you schedule your inspection, you may also inform the inspector that a particular time of day (morning or afternoon) is preferred. There are no guarantees that the inspector will be able to accommodate the request, but often such requests can be accommodated. If the inspector is able to accommodate a specific inspection scheduling request, without detrimentally affecting the rest of the day’s inspection route, you will receive a confirmation.

8. How long will the building inspection take?

Every building inspection takes a different amount of time. Most of the factors that affect how long an inspection will take are entirely under the control of the contractor. Projects that are constructed in a very professional manner, utilizing high-quality approved construction components, and adhere to approved plans are generally very quick to inspect. In contrast, projects that deviate from plans, or utilize questionable materials or construction techniques may result in numerous inspection corrections. In general, most inspections can be completed in under an hour.  

9. Will the building inspector call the contractor to inform him that an inspection has failed?

No. If an inspection fails, the building inspector will leave a written correction notice with the person who is in responsible charge at the job site. This may be the contractor, the property owner, or an authorized representative of the owner.  It is that person’s responsibility to share the written correction notice with any individuals who may need to know the results of the inspection. After reviewing the written correction notice, anyone who needs further clarification in order to properly resolve the noted deficiencies is encouraged to speak with the inspector, whose contact information will be included on the written correction notice.

10. Do I need the “Approved” plans at the job site when the building inspector arrives?

Yes. It is your responsibility to ensure that the “Approved” set of construction plans is available on the job site whenever an inspection is scheduled. Your inspector must have the approved plans in order for the work to be inspected and approved.  Without the approved plans, your inspector may not be able to perform his job, and the inspection may need to be rescheduled for an alternate date/time when the approved plans will be available.

11. Is the city open or closed this Friday?

The City of Highland is closed on alternate Fridays. A full calendar of events, including which Fridays the City is closed is available on the City’s calendar.

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1. What is a refuse lien?

A refuse lien is the amount of delinquent trash service fees, plus additional processing and administrative fees from the City, County, and Trash Company that are attached to the property owners’ property taxes.

If the trash company has been unsuccessful in collecting past due trash collection fees from a property owner, they will assign the account to the City for collection.

If this occurs, the City will mail the property owner a Notice of Past Due Charges. The Notice contains the date of a Special City Council Lien Hearing to hear any objection or protests of the property owners listed in the delinquent account report submitted by the trash company.

2. Who has authority to attach a refuse lien on a property?

In accordance with the City’s Waste Management Ordinance, the City Council is given the authority to attach delinquent trash fees to a property owner’s tax roll.

3. How is a refuse lien removed from my property?

Since the lien is attached to the property tax roll, it is collected for the City at the same time and in the same manner as county property taxes. Therefore, the lien can only be removed when the property taxes are paid in full to the County.