Definitions and Administrative Requirements
Why Definitions Drive Answers
Definitions are the highest-leverage content in the entire exam. A single defined term - building height, grade plane, floor area, mezzanine, occupancy - can determine whether a building is in scope, what construction type is required, and whether egress is compliant. Candidates must understand that defined terms are capitalized or italicized in the code and that ordinary dictionary meanings do not apply where the code defines the term.
Administrative Requirements
Administrative chapters govern permits, drawings and specifications, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and the duties of the owner and the AHJ. Know the sequence: permit application → plan review → permit issuance → inspections at defined stages → final inspection → certificate of occupancy. Traps include assuming a permit is required for every minor repair (many jurisdictions exempt certain cosmetic work), or assuming a certificate of occupancy is required only for new buildings (it is often required on change of use or occupancy as well).
Worked Example / Rule of Thumb
Suppose a stem asks whether adding a mezzanine triggers a height increase. First, look up mezzanine - it is typically a partial floor that does not count as a story if it meets area limits. Then apply the building height definition, which measures from grade plane to the average height of the highest roof surface. Because a compliant mezzanine is not a story, it generally does not increase building height or story count. The trap is assuming any floor area counts as a story.
Exam Strategy
When a question hinges on a term, define it explicitly in your reasoning before choosing an answer. If two answers seem plausible, the difference is almost always a defined term.