H255 - Building Code Regulation Reform

• Raises threshold for building permit requirement in residential and farm structures from $5,000 to $15,000 for single-family residences and farm buildings, with specific exceptions for load-bearing structures, plumbing, electrical, heating/cooling, and roofing work.

• Creates two committees within the Building Code Council: a Residential Code Committee for one- and two-family dwellings, and a Building Code Committee for all other structures; requires council recommendations before amendments to respective codes can be considered.

• Defines willful misconduct for code officials to include enforcing code requirements outside their specified scope, refusing to accept Department of Insurance appeal decisions, enforcing requirements more stringent than code, and habitual failure to provide timely inspections.

• Requires inspectors to conduct all requested inspections during scheduled visits and inform permit holders of all items failing to meet code requirements; mandates posting of Building Code Council decisions and interpretations on Department of Insurance website within 10 business days.

• Allows cities and counties to accept signed written compliance certifications from licensed architects or engineers for building components or elements, relieving local inspection departments of further responsibility for those elements; restricts use of inspection fees to inspection department activities only.

• Exempts commercial building projects under $90,000 in value and 2,500 square feet from professional architectural seal requirements.