Bill > H295

This bill aims to promote local sawmills in North Carolina by allowing the use of ungraded lumber in certain circumstances. The key provisions are: 1. The North Carolina Building Code Council must amend the Residential Code to permit the use of ungraded dimension lumber (lumber that has not been grade-stamped) in the construction of one- and two-family dwellings, as long as certain requirements are met, such as the lumber being sold directly by the sawmill operator and the operator having a certificate from a state-approved lumber grading training program. 2. The bill also allows the use of ungraded dimension lumber from small mills or mobile sawmills in the construction of one- and two-family dwellings and structures classified as Residential Group R-2 or R-3, subject to similar requirements. 3. The bill requires the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service to establish a basic lumber grading training program for individuals, with provisions for initial certification and recertification every five years. 4. Building permit applicants using ungraded lumber must submit certain information, such as the species of wood, quantity, and the name of the certified sawmill operator. The goal is to support local sawmills and provide more flexibility in the use of ungraded lumber for residential construction, while ensuring certain safety and quality standards are met.