Good Morning, Greenwood!
Waking up to cloudy skies today, the weather forecast suggests it will turn partly cloudy this afternoon, with just a slight chance of rain showers. A perfect day to keep an umbrella handy but probably don’t need to cancel any outdoor plans. Expect highs around 80°F with winds coming from the southwest at 5 to 10 mph. This evening, skies will remain partly cloudy, and there’s still that slight chance of a rain shower. Lows will drop to around 63°F with light and variable winds. Updated: September 29, 2024 @ 6:35 am.
Meet Travis Lathren: Greenwood’s Building Official
Ever wondered who oversees all the building construction permits in Greenwood? You can put a face to those Sunday permit listings now! If you’re planning to build a home or business, or even make changes to an existing property, you’ll likely meet Travis Lathren.
A Quick Climb Up the Ladder
Lathren, Greenwood city and county’s building official, has been in his role since August 2023, taking on the responsibility of overseeing commercial and residential building permits. He also ensures existing buildings are code-compliant. His office is nestled away in the basement of the county courthouse, a small but bustling hub of activity matching plans with state laws.
Fast-Track Success
When he got this job, the city provided him a year to earn his International Code Council (ICC) certification. Impressively, Lathren completed it in just four months. He credits his quick success to his previous roles and the knowledge he brought over from his extensive experience with the city fire department. For six years, he was the assistant chief and marshal and served with the department for nearly 21 years in total. The maintenance inspections he performed bridged him perfectly to his current role.
“I realized I enjoyed reviewing plans and thought, ‘I can do that!’,” said Lathren. “There’s a learning curve, it involves continuous learning, and that’s why we have to go for continuing education.”
Guidance and Groundwork
Lathren and his team handle both commercial and residential building permits. “It’s important because you have to follow state laws,” he emphasized. His staff includes a permit coordinator, two techs, and two code-enforcement officers who focus on unsafe structures and property upkeep.
Expanding Their Expertise
In the past year, Lathren focused heavily on the department’s internals. “Now, we have good people and some new employees who have turned out to be fantastic inspectors. My main goal is to get the new guys certified and into better inspectors,” he noted.
When Lathren first started, there was a significant boom in home-building activities which has slowed this year. He took advantage of this downtime to provide hands-on training and to help his team broaden their skills. “I want everybody to be well-rounded,” he shared. “We had inspectors who were handling only residential tasks. Now, I want everyone to be able to manage both residential and commercial spaces because our jurisdiction is quite extensive.”
Permits Beyond New Builds
Alongside new constructions, Lathren’s team also issues permits for businesses moving into existing commercial spaces. “Changing the use of occupancies requires specific considerations, and I often work with design professionals to ensure code compliance since many occupants know little about it,” said Lathren.
“I often meet people in their spaces to give them an overview of what we’re looking at and provide some code references,” he explained.
Plan Ahead
Lathren always encourages prospective lessees to consult with design professionals and his office before signing commercial property leases. Many are unaware of the limitations or what needs to be done to bring a space up to code for its intended use. His office can guide them based on code requirements but cannot provide designs.
As a Greenwood resident and University of South Carolina Gamecocks fan, Lathren balances his professional commitments with family life, attending sporting events and spending quality time with his loved ones. His journey shows what dedication and a passion for the job can achieve.
Stay Informed to Stay Safe
Checking in with Greenwood’s building permit office keeps you informed and safe, ensuring compliance with state laws and code standards. So, before breaking ground or signing that lease, remember that Lathren and his team are there to guide you every step of the way.
Contact staff writer Greg Deal for news tips and story ideas at 864-223-1812 or follow on X @IJDEAL.
