New Developments Will Now Have to Abide by Initial Building Codes

     Current law states that a building inspector examines the completed development using building permit codes at the time of their inspection. Under Senate Bill 1508, new construction would be held to the building permit codes that were in effect at the time the developer received their building permit. Thus if a municipality or county changes their building permit codes while a development is under construction, the developer would not have to abide by these new changes.

     “This is common sense legislation. Builders should be held to the rules given to them at the time of development and not after the fact,” Fortner said. “It is extremely costly and unfair for a developer in the middle of construction to have to change his design and materials just to meet changes in recent county or municipality building codes.”

     Fortner stated that this legislation was suggested by the Senate sponsor’s constituent who had constructed a place of business using building codes enforced at the time of receiving his building permit. However, while the building was under construction, the municipality strengthened its building code and when the building was completed, the building inspector had to enforce the new code and found the building was not in compliance. The owner of the building was forced to upgrade the building at an additional cost.

     Additional questions can be directed to Rep. Fortner’s office at (630) 293-9344.