Bill Summary for S 371 (2017-2018)

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Summary date: 

Mar 23 2017

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2017-2018 Session
Senate Bill 371 (Public) Filed Thursday, March 23, 2017
AN ACT TO MAKE VARIOUS CHANGES AND CLARIFICATIONS TO THE STATUTES GOVERNING THE CREATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF BUILDING CODES.
Intro. by Brock, McInnis, Clark.

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Bill summary

Identical to H 252 filed on 3/2/17.

Section 1 amends GS 153A-352(b) and GS 160A-412(b). Adds language clarifying that counties and cities may not adopt a new local ordinance or resolution or any other policy, or enforce an existing local ordinance, resolution, or policy, requiring inspections of buildings constructed in compliance with the North Carolina Building Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings in addition to those required by the North Carolina Building code, without first obtaining approval by the North Carolina Building Code Council.

Section 2 amends GS 153A-352(c) and GS 160A-412(c). Adds language authorizing persons under the direct supervisory control of the licensed architect or licensed engineer submitting a design or other proposal for the construction of buildings to perform field inspections of the installations as required by the subsection, and clarifies that the licensed architect or licensed engineer submitting the design must provide the required signed written statement of compliance.

Section 3 enacts new GS 153A-352(e) and GS 160A-412(e). Directs that no certification by a licensed architect or engineer is required for components or elements engineered by their manufacturer when the manufacturer has certified the components or elements comply with the North Carolina State Building Code or the North Carolina Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.

Enacts new GS 153A-352(f) and GS 160A-412(f). Directs inspection departments, no later than December 1, 2017, to create a process for informal internal review of inspection decisions made by department's inspectors, including, at minimum, initial review by the supervisor of the inspector, provisions on permits stating the inspector's contact information and notice of availability of informal internal review, and procedures for internal review of an inspector's decision. Does not abrogate rights under GS Chapter 150B to a permit holder or applicant.

Directs each inspection department to annually report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Local Government, no later than January 15, beginning in 2018, on the implementation of the informal internal review process required by new GS 153A-352(f) and new GS 160A-412(f), including the number of times the informal review process was utilized and the outcome of the review. Authorizes individual inspection departments to meet this requirement through a report by an organization of cities or counties on behalf of the organization's members. Expires June 30, 2022.

Section 4 amends GS 143-136(c). Authorizes a committee within the Building Code Council to review any proposal for revision or amendment to any current or future code applicable to residential construction (currently authorized to review an enumerated list of codes). Makes conforming changes.

Section 5 amends GS 143-140. Directs enforcement agencies not to apply interpretations of the North Carolina State Building Code to construction begun under validly issued permits at the time the agency provides the interpretation. Makes technical changes.

Section 6 amends GS 143-355.4(a) (requiring separate water meters for new in-ground irrigation systems). Exempts lots with septic tank systems or other types of innovative on-site wastewater systems if a lockable cutoff valve and a backflow prevention device are installed on the water supply line for the irrigation system within 12 inches of the connection to the water meter.

Effective October 1, 2017.