After a stint as a construction manager in the private sector following five years as a chief building official for Washington, D.C., government, Robbie Sabbakhan knew his heart was in public service.
“I realized shortly afterwards how much I enjoyed the role serving the public as a building official, so when the Rockville opportunity materialized … I chose the City of Rockville,” he said.
Sabbakhan has brought his more than 20 years’ experience in code compliance to the city as its new chief of inspection services, a division of the Department of Community Planning and Development Services, whose inspectors oversee building and construction work to ensure public safety.
“Our plans examiners and inspectors do a thorough job to make certain all those who live, work, study, worship and shop can do so in a safe manner and environment,” Sabbakhan said. “When these code experts inspect buildings and review construction plans for code compliance, they in effect help to ensure the places where you live, learn, work, worship and play are safe.”
Sabbakhan said that in his new post he wants to improve Rockville’s permits and inspection process through streamlining, better internal coordination, and enhanced use of data, technology and innovation. His central focus will be to emphasize customer service, he said. And he’ll be working to improve outreach, education and communication about policies, procedures and regulation to homeowners, designers, contractors, developers and others who interact with the inspection division “so they can better and more easily navigate the permitting process, which for some can be a daunting experience,” he said. “We don’t want that to be the case here in Rockville.”
“Our vision as a building department is to garner a strong reputation for the City of Rockville as highly professional, reliable and business-friendly, yet uncompromising on safety, sustainability and quality of life assurance,” Sabbakhan said.
Visit www.rockvillemd.gov/inspectionservices to learn more about the Inspection Services Division.