H255 - Building Code Regulatory Reform (SL 2015-145)

Overview: S.L. 2015-145 makes various changes to the laws relating to the State Building Code, including:

• Conforming work in progress inspection authority to recently enacted inspection limitations.
• Directing the Building Code Council to study the alternate methods approval process.
• Clarifying the definition of official misconduct for code officials.
• Raising the threshold for requirement of a building permit from $5,000 to $15,000.
• Creating a Residential Code Committee and a Building Code Committee within the Building Code Council to oversee the process by which the Council conducts revisions and to advise the Council on certain issues.
• Requiring internet posting of certain council decisions and interpretations.
• Clarifying that inspection fees collected by cities and counties can only be used to support the inspection department.
• Requiring that inspections be performed in full and in a timely manner and that inspection reports include all items failing to meet code requirements.
• Authorizing inspection and certification of components or elements of buildings by licensed architects or licensed engineers.
• Exempting certain commercial building projects from the requirement of a professional architectural seal.

This act became effective October 1, 2015.