Foley, Ala. — (OBA) — Foley, Alabama, stands out for its strong focus on safe home building. The city ranks fourth in the nation for homes certified as fortified by Smart Home America. These certifications mean buildings can better handle hurricanes and other bad weather. City officials say this work keeps residents safer during storms.

In the fiscal year that ended on September 30, 2024, Foley's building inspectors reviewed and approved permits for more than 6,400 new homes, renovations, and improvements. This helps make sure structures in South Baldwin County can stand up to Gulf Coast conditions like high winds, hurricanes, and heavy rain.

Nelson Bauer, the city's infrastructure and development program manager, pointed to Hurricane Sally in 2020 as proof. He saw firsthand how homes built to higher standards held up better. Foley's codes require extra barriers under roofs to block water. Bauer said this adds redundancy, not just relying on the roof cover.

These standards help prevent people from losing their homes after storms, said Miriam Boone, director of the Foley Community Development Department. If roofs and windows stay intact, folks can often stay put while fixing other damage. Water getting in leads to mold and bigger problems.

The Fortified Homes system rewards buildings that meet tough storm standards. Certified homes often get lower insurance rates. Many Foley homes already meet a lot of these rules due to local codes.

Bauer noted that wind gust requirements are high in the area. This means structures are already resilient. He suggested going a bit further for full fortified status and insurance savings.

Private inspectors check if homes qualify for fortified certification, Boone explained. Homeowners pay a small extra fee for this. The city cannot do these inspections itself.

City staff helps guide homeowners and developers through building in Foley. It starts with a permit application. A plan examiner checks if it follows codes.

Once approved, builders get a permit to start work. Inspectors visit at key stages, from foundation to final check. The end goal is a certificate of occupancy.

The process might seem tricky, but staff offers good customer service, Boone said. They aim to help people reach their goals while meeting rules. The mayor and council expect this approach.

Bauer described inspectors as helpful guides, not just enforcers. They know when things are right or wrong. They explain how to resolve issues and gain compliance.

Home building in Foley has grown over the years. But the office staff size has stayed about the same. Boone mentioned a recent budget meeting where they plan to hire a building official.

When Boone started in 1996, they had one building inspector and four inspectors. After hurricanes like Katrina and Ivan, they briefly had five. Over nearly 30 years, they've stayed lean and worked smarter.

Staff stays busy with constant tasks. Boone is proud of the department's efforts. They get compliments for being helpful in planning, zoning, and more. They don't just say no; they find ways to assist.

Looking ahead, Foley's focus on resilient building will help as the area grows. Stronger homes mean less damage from future storms. This keeps families safe and reduces recovery costs. The city plans to keep guiding builders toward even better standards.