Bill > H831

This bill establishes a comprehensive framework for private commercial inspections of buildings and structures in North Carolina. It creates a new system where private commercial inspectors, who must be certified and registered with the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board, can conduct inspections of commercial buildings to ensure compliance with the State Building Code. The bill defines private commercial inspectors as qualified professionals who can be employed by inspection firms or work independently, and establishes detailed requirements for their certification, including different levels of expertise (such as building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire inspections). Key provisions include requiring inspectors to obtain specific certifications, maintaining professional development standards, and establishing a registration process for both individual inspectors and inspection firms. The legislation also specifies that local governments must accept inspection reports from qualified private commercial inspectors, provides a payment guarantee mechanism for these inspections, and creates uniform forms for inspection reports. Additionally, the bill repeals the existing marketplace pool of code-enforcement officials and aims to expedite the building permit and inspection process for commercial and multifamily buildings. The new system is set to become effective on July 1, 2026, allowing time for rulemaking and implementation preparation.

Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H831