Nope. This city's building dept is incredibly inflexible.
I have my own issues with the building department where I live so I understand where you're coming from.
That being said: keep in mind that they generally don't write the code, just enforce it. The building department isn't being inflexible unless they are misinterpreting the code.
I've had better luck blowing up my council members email when I have a problem than arguing with some know it all, can't lose their job, "not my problem" city worker.
