G S 153 A-353 and 160 A-413 - Contract Inspectors

Code: 2012 Administrative Code and Policies  Section: GS 153A-353 and 160A-413

Question: May an inspection department accept inspection reports from a licensed professional engineer for the inspections required in Section 107 of the Administrative Code?

Answer: The Code only provides for specific inspections listed in Section 107.4 to be performed by a registered design professional. General Statutes 153A-353 and 160A-413 provide for the situation where a jurisdiction does not feel they can complete the inspections for which they would be responsible. The statutes give the inspection department authority to contract with another jurisdiction, with an individual inspector, or with a private inspection firm. All these inspectors must be certified by the NC Code Officials Qualification Board in the area being inspected. Inspection departments may require tests and inspections to be performed by approved testing agencies and design professional according to Section 105 of the Administrative Code.