Bill Summary for H 675 (2019-2020)

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Summary date: 

Apr 10 2019

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2019-2020 Session
House Bill 675 (Public) Filed Tuesday, April 9, 2019
AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE STATUTES GOVERNING THE CREATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODES.
Intro. by Brody, Riddell, Hardister, Richardson.

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Bill summary

Amends GS 160A-413.5(3), which requires a city to accept a design or proposal for a component or element in the construction of building from a licensed architect or engineer if three criteria are met. Modifies the criteria of a written, signed inspection certification to require the certification be made on a form created by the NC Building Code Council (Council) with the information specified, and prohibits the city from requiring additional information than that specified. Makes clarifying changes.

Amends GS 160A-413.5(d)(1) to add a foundation and underslab materials and equipment to the example provided of a component.

Amends GS 143-151.13(b) to add residential changeout inspector to the standard certificates available for Code-enforcement officials issuable by the NC Code Officials Qualification Board. 

Amends GS 160A-372, concerning city subdivision control ordinances, to prohibit an ordinance from requiring a developer or builder to bury power lines that existed at the time of the first submission of a plat or development plan to the city and are located outside the boundaries of the parcel of land that contains the subdivision or the property covered by the development plan. Also prohibits the ordinance from setting a minimum square footage of any structures subject to regulation under the NC Residential Code for One-and Two-Family Dwellings. Makes conforming changes to GS 160A-381(a). Makes identical changes to GS 153A-331 concerning county subdivision control ordinances. Makes conforming changes to GS 153A-340(c). Provides that any municipal or county ordinance inconsistent with these provisions is void and unenforceable.

Amends GS 143-138 to establish that no permit is required under the Building Code or any local variant approved under subsection (e) (which provides for certain local variants to the Building Code) for any construction, installation, repair, replacement, or alteration of temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets and scenery.

Further amends GS 143-138 to require the Council to conduct a cost-benefit analysis for all proposed changes to the NC Energy Conservation Code based on a five-year period for calculating return on investment of the proposed change and the impacts of the proposed change on the energy efficiency of the entire structure.

Directs the Council to study options for the use by builders of demolition debris for additional uses at the construction site to decrease the volume of demolition debris sent to solid waste disposal facilities. Requires the Council to report to the 2020 Regular Session of the 2019 General Assembly when it convenes.

Amends GS 160A-423 to prohibit a city from adopting or enforcing a local ordinance, resolution, or any other policy that requires compliance with any conditions or requirements other than those required by the Building Code for a temporary certificate of compliance. Makes identical changes to GS 153A-363 concerning counties. 

Amends GS 87-13 to make it a Class 2 misdemeanor to falsely claim or suggest in connection with any business activities regulated by the State Licensing Board for General Contractors that a person, firm, or corporation is licensed under GS Chapter 87. 

Amends GS 160A-417 to require a city to perform a review, if it chooses, of residential building plans within two days of the submission of sealed plans by an engineer or architect, or within five days of submission for all others. Makes identical changes to GS 153A-357 concerning counties. 

Amends GS 83A-13 to exempt from architectural license for the preparation, sale, or furnishing of plans, specifications and related data, or for the supervision of construction under such, of an institutional or commercial building that does not have a total value exceeding $200,000 (was, $90,000) and the total building area does not exceed 5,000 (was, 2,500) square feet in gross floor area. Makes conforming changes to exempt from the requirement for a professional architectural seal a commercial building project with a total value less than $200,000 and a total project area less than 5,000 square feet.

Amends Section 6(c) of SL 2018-29 to extend the sunset provision from October 1, 2019, to October 1, 2021, for GS 153A-352(g) and GS 160A-412(g), as enacted under the Section.

Amends GS 143-355.4 to require the property owner to select and install a testable backflow prevention device which meets the Plumbing Code requirements, as specified, when required as part of the separate meter required by the statute. Makes conforming changes concerning testable backflow prevention devices on lots with privately owned septic systems. 

Effective October 1, 2019.