Administration, Enforcement, and Inspection Procedures
Administration, Enforcement, and Inspection Procedures
This domain tests the building official’s administrative duties: permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy, notices, stop-work orders, unsafe-structure procedures, appeals, and records. The exam focuses on lawful process and documented authority.
Core rules
- A permit is required for construction, alteration, repair, and certain equipment unless specifically exempted. The application must include construction documents sufficient to show compliance.
- The building official reviews plans and may require additional information before issuing a permit. Approvals do not relieve the applicant of code compliance.
- Required inspections must be requested and documented at specified stages. Work may not be concealed before inspection approval.
- A certificate of occupancy is issued only after the building official verifies that the work complies with the approved plans and code and that required inspections are complete.
- Enforcement tools include written notices of violation, stop-work orders, revocation of permits, and unsafe-structure abatement. Emergency measures are limited to imminent danger.
- Appeals generally go to the board of appeals, not to the building official’s own reconsideration, and must be filed within the code’s time limits.
Worked example
During a site visit, an inspector finds that a tenant build-out has begun without a permit and that framing is already covered. The building official should issue a written stop-work order, require a permit application and construction documents, and direct that concealed work be exposed for inspection. A certificate of occupancy cannot be issued until the permit is obtained, inspections are completed, and compliance is verified. The action must be documented in the file, and the owner must be given the applicable appeal rights.
Traps
- Issuing a certificate of occupancy before final inspections are complete.
- Relying on verbal corrections instead of written notices.
- Using emergency powers when there is no imminent danger.
- Confusing a board of appeals with the building official’s technical review.