An Update for Our Customers: Building Code Reform Law Now in Effect
House Bill 255, also known as N.C.
Building Code Reform, went into effect in North Carolina Oct. 1.
We’re still learning what impact
the law will have on the way we serve our customers, but here’s what we know so
far:
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The law mandates that Mecklenburg County code
officials (inspectors) perform a complete inspection at each requested visit. This will require a change from our previous approach, in which an inspection was suspended if
the inspected work reached a certain threshold of “too many defects to list” or was not
ready when the inspector arrived on site. Now, inspectors will complete all
inspections, and for one- and two-family dwellings, will provide a list of
incomplete or outstanding code compliance issues.
What does this
mean for your inspection response time? We don’t know yet. As you are aware,
construction activity is at a five-year high in Mecklenburg County and County Code
Enforcement has added several inspector positions and has been actively recruiting to hire inspectors for months. This new
requirement will place even greater strain on available inspection time, because many
inspections are expected to take longer. We are committed to designing a solution -- which may involve hiring more inspectors and some process changes to meet ongoing customer demand -- because we understand that project schedules are critically
important. We have already done some preliminary planning and will further
develop the solution in collaboration with the Building Development Commission as we determine the actual and ongoing impact to our response
times.
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The law provides that single-family
residential construction, repair, and replacement work may be done without a
building permit when the cost of the project is $15,000 or less – the previous
requirement was $5,000. Note: Some building work, no matter the cost,
always requires a permit. This includes most electrical, mechanical and
plumbing changes, along with the addition, repair or replacement of
load-bearing members or structures, like decks, carports, garages, backyard
storage buildings, room additions, finishing unfinished attic space, kitchen
cabinet replacement, or sub-floor repairs.
- The law provides for separate
residential/building code committees that will review issues particular to
residential development and recommend changes to the N.C. Building Code
Council.
- The law provides for architects and engineers
to certify selected elements or components, eliminating the requirement for
plan review and inspections on those items, if an independent inspection is
performed by the same architect or engineer and a signed/sealed report is
provided to the local code enforcement authority.
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The law requires that the state Department of
Insurance/Building Code Council must post commentaries and code interpretations
on the web within 10 business days.
We have already implemented some process changes and are working to
evaluate the impact of this law on our response times. We are committed to keeping you informed and
serving you well.
If you have questions about how these changes may impact a project
currently under way, please contact your inspections team manager:
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