Fayette County was recently recognized for its vigorous implementation of building codes for both residential and commercial property.

The Insurance Services Office has lowered the county’s rating for building inspection and code enforcement from a 5 to a 3, putting it in pretty elite company.

Of more than 8,300 communities audited by ISO, only 140 had better scores than Fayette in the residential category. And only 160 communities had better scores in the commercial category.

Joe Scarborough, interim director of the county’s Permits and Inspections Department, noted that every employee in the department “contributed greatly” to the improved ratings. But the real benefit is to the citizens, he added.

Scarborough, in a recent county meeting, thanked County Manager Jack Krakeel for allowing the department to implement needed changed to come in line with ISO requirements and the resources to support the inspectors’ continued education and various certifications.

The ISO rating gives credits to individual property insurance policies in recognition of efforts through code enforcement to mitigate property damage due to natural disasters, Scarborough said.

The ISO grading scale runs from one (best) to 10 (worst).