NC H831

Authorizes private commercial inspectors and inspection firms to conduct building code compliance inspections on commercial buildings and structures as an alternative to local government inspectors, with certification and registration required through the NC Code Officials Qualification Board

Requires permit applicants using private inspectors to provide a payment guarantee (bond, letter of credit, or insurance) equal to 125% of the local government's estimated inspection costs to cover situations where the private inspector abandons the project

Grants local governments immunity from liability for inspections conducted by private commercial inspectors once they acknowledge receipt of signed inspection reports

Establishes certification fees of $200 for private commercial inspectors (compared to $20 for government code-enforcement officials) and annual renewal fees of $50 (compared to $10 for government officials)

Repeals the existing marketplace pool of code-enforcement officials within the Office of the State Fire Marshal and becomes effective July 1, 2026