Code Monthly, August 2015: Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement's Customer Newsletter

Mecklenburg County NC Government sent this bulletin at 09/02/2015 02:37 PM EDT

Code Monthly August 2015

N.C. Building Code Reform: What We Know So Far

Building Code Regulatory Reform, formerly known as House Bill 255, has become law in North Carolina, effective Oct. 1, 2015. Code Enforcement staff are studying and awaiting further instruction from the state on how to implement the provisions of the law, but here are the main provisions of the bill that we anticipate will impact our customers the most:

  • 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.
  • Provides for separate residential/building code committees that will review issues and recommend changes to the state Building Code Council.
  • Provides for architects and engineers to certify selected elements or components in one- and two-family dwellings, eliminating the requirement for plan review and inspections on those items, if a report is provided to the local code enforcement authority.
  • Requires that the state Department of Insurance/Building Code Council must post commentaries and code interpretations on the Web within 10 business days.

Complete text of the law is available here. 

As we learn more, the provisions of this law will be discussed at our regular Consistency Meetings and in other customer communications.

Griffin Given Two Awards by Fellow Building Inspectors

Jeff Griffin

Jeff Griffin, manager of the North Inspections Team, has been given two awards by the North Carolina Building Inspectors' Association.

In July, Griffin received NCBIA's Distinguished Service Award and the President's Choice Award, which is presented to NCBIA members who are dedicated to professionalism and the core values of the NCBIA.

Please join us in congratulating Mr. Griffin for his outstanding service to the industry.

 

Join a Great Team!

We're Hiring  

We're hiring experienced building industry professionals to serve as code officials in both plan review and inspections.

Take a look at our open positions today -- you could be the next all-star on our team!