
The City of Boerne’s Permitting and Code Compliance Department has earned major recognition for its efforts to improve community safety and uphold high standards in building inspections and plan reviews.
Recently, the department also received improved scores from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) under the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule (BCEGS). Boerne’s rating jumped from 10 to 5 in both the Commercial and Residential classifications – a first-time improvement for the City.
“The accomplishment of improving our ISO BCEGS classification and scores by five points directly reflects the dedication of City Council and staff’s commitment to building safety in Boerne,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said.
BCEGS ratings range from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest. These scores are based on a comprehensive evaluation of over 1,240 data points, including building code adoption, enforcement practices, staffing levels, and training. The ISO’s evaluation included site visits, operational observations, and a thorough review of records.
The improved BCEGS score may also benefit Boerne residents and business owners by positively impacting insurance rates, as the scores are used by insurance companies when assessing risk.
In addition to the improvement from the ISO, Boerne’s Chief Building Official Steve Riggs recently completed the Certified Building Official (CBO) certification through the International Code Council (ICC). This nationally recognized credential demonstrates proficiency in building code administration, plan review, and inspections.
These recent improvements in the Permitting and Code Compliance Department highlight the City’s commitment to excellence and reinforce its dedication to public safety, professional integrity, and a high quality of life for all residents.

