In Florida (at least Lee County) the inspectors do seem to be pretty helpful. They don't get into design issues, the plan review side is pretty hard nosed. Once you do get your permit the inspection side will work with the owner builders to get a safe and compliant installation.
I think it is just to make the process appealing enough so homeowners will get a permit in the first place. Out in the unincorporated county, the distrust of anything government can make it hard to sell permits and unlikely that anyone will report it if you don't.
