Under existing law, the Division of Construction Management within the Department of Finance, which was formerly the State Building Commission, is required to adopt state building codes and state energy conservation codes. The codes apply only to state public buildings, public schools, hotels, and movie theatres. The codes do not apply to private residential or non-residential buildings and structures. Also under existing law, each county commission and municipality may adopt local building codes for its jurisdiction. The codes are enforced at the local level. This bill would provide for the standardization of the building codes across the state and would place the authority to adopt the codes with the Division of Construction Management. This bill would also include all non-residential buildings within the state building code and would specify that county and municipal governing bodies would have the primary authority to enforce the building codes with respect to the non-residential buildings. This bill would establish a process for periodically updating the building codes. This bill would authorize certain coastal counties and municipalities to adopt supplemental coastal building codes for protection against hurricanes, high winds, and erosion. This bill would also further provide for the scope of practice of architecture and the duties of a local building code official and would provide criminal penalties for a violation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 41-9-160, 41-9-161, 41-9-162, 41-9-163, 41-9-164, 41-9-165, 41-9-166, 41-9-167, 41-9-170, 41-9-171, 41-9-172, 41-9-173, 41-9-174