NC Building Code Council Happenings

The NC Home Builders Association will be carefully watching to see what actions the NCBCC takes at these meetings, as well as make appropriate remarks during the public comment period.

Recent Legislation Concerning the NC Residential Code

Section 4 of HB 488 (Code Council Reorg. and Var. Code Amend.) limited local governments from requiring routine exterior sheathing inspections for structures and dwellings where the ultimate wind speed is less than 140 miles per hour. This bill is now Session Law 2023-137.

Important Note:

N.C.G.S. 143-138 (b23) states that the Code shall not require routine exterior sheathing inspections … “in a region where the ultimate wind speed is less than 140 miles per hour.” Local governments cannot adopt additional code provisions that are not within the NC State Codes. At the December 12, 2023 NC Building Code Council meeting, a proposal (Item B-1) was introduced that would add a sheathing inspection to the code in those 140+ mph zones. This proposal will need to complete the rulemaking process before such an inspection would be required. Until then, sheathing inspections are still optional at the request of the permit holder and not required. This has been confirmed from NCDOI.

New Interpretations or Guidance Papers from NCDOI

Noteworthy Member Assistance

The North Carolina Home Builders Association assists members in many ways including the codes, statutes and regulations everyday. In this newsletter, I will highlight one such exchange that may be of assistance to you.

Question: “In my opinion, the inspector should have done a complete inspection on all items excluding what he couldn’t see in attic, am I correct in my thinking?” 

Response: Yes. The key is for the inspector to complete a full inspection, so that the permit holder can make those necessary corrections and continue work. I created a list of common framing inspection items that may be of help to double check before calling that inspection (available in English and Spanish).

Recommendations for success:

• Leave out one 4x8 sheet and provide a ladder for access if the entire attic has a subfloor.
• Place a copy of the plans/truss drawings into a plastic zip lock gallon bag marked “Inspector Copy” in the permit box. This will help prevent the plans/truss drawings from becoming unreadable.
• Framers should return any plans/truss drawings before the inspection if they use them.

Comment: “They have been very difficult lately in even getting an inspection. This was to be inspected last Thursday but they rescheduled to yesterday and was pushed to today.”

Response: Inspections are to be completed within two business days. Noon is the cutoff. If you call before noon, by the close of business on the second day, your inspection should be completed. After noon, add one day. Given that there may be inspectors that are on vacation or holiday schedules during the holidays, jurisdictions should be performing requested inspections within two business days typically. If they are not, I recommend asking why, and if chronic, contact David Rittlinger, Deputy Commissioner (interim) at NC Department of Insurance.

Bonus Recommendation: If you fail a typical inspection noted in NCDOI's guidance paper on remote inspections, the jurisdiction may offer to perform the inspection using Facetime or another remote viewing app. Please see the link here, and see if they will perform the inspection remotely. Saves time and money!

Have a Minute? Take Our Survey

We are extending the question from last month to collect more data. Scroll below to see the survey results so far.



How many business days is it taking to obtain the initial residential plan review for a single-family dwelling after the submission of the application and plans to the inspection department?

Thanks for reading this important email. If you have any suggestions, please email Cliff at cisaac@nchba.org. 

My best,

Cliff Isaac, PE

Director of Codes and Construction

North Carolina Home Builders Association