Local governments administer and enforce the state building code, and certain building applications and energy-efficiency reviews must meet specific signature, filing, and permit rules.
1. The examination and approval or disapproval of plans and specifications, the issuance and revocation of building permits, licenses, certificates, and similar documents, the inspection of buildings or structures, and the administration and enforcement of building regulations shall be the responsibility of the governmental subdivisions of the state and shall be administered and enforced in the manner prescribed by local law or ordinance. All provisions of law relating to the administration and enforcement of local building regulations in any governmental subdivision shall be applicable to the administration and enforcement of the state building code in the governmental subdivision. An application made to a local building department or to a state agency for permission to construct a building or structure pursuant to the provisions of the state building code shall, in addition to any other requirement, be signed by the owner or the owner’s authorized agent, and shall contain the address of the owner, and a statement that the application is made for permission to construct in accordance with the provisions of the code. The application shall also specifically include a statement that the construction will be in accordance with all applicable energy conservation requirements. 2. In aid of administration and enforcement of the state building code, and in addition to and not in limitation of powers vested in them by law, each governmental subdivision of the state may, and each city designated in section 103A.10, subsection 2, paragraph “d”, shall: a. Examine and approve or disapprove plans and specifications for the construction of any building or structure, the construction of which is pursuant or purports to be pursuant to the provisions of the state building code, and to direct the inspection of buildings or structures during the course of construction. b. Require that the construction of any building or structure shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of the state building code, subject, however, to the powers granted to the board of review in section 103A.16. c. Order in writing any person to remedy any condition found to exist in, or about any building or structure in violation of the state building code. Orders may be served upon the owner or the owner’s authorized agent personally or by certified mail at the address set forth in the application for permission to construct a building or structure. Any local building department may grant in writing such time as may be reasonably necessary for achieving compliance with an order. d. Issue certificates of occupancy or use, permits, licenses, and other documents in connection with the construction of buildings or structures as may be required by ordinance. (1) A certificate of occupancy or use for a building or structure constructed in accordance with the provisions of the state building code shall certify that the building or structure conforms to the requirements of the code. The certificate shall be in the form the governing body of the governmental subdivision prescribes. (2) Every certificate of occupancy or use shall, until set aside or vacated by the board of review, director, or a court of competent jurisdiction, be binding and conclusive upon all state and local agencies, as to all matters set forth and no order, direction, or requirement at variance therewith shall be made or issued by any other state or local agency. e. Make, amend, and repeal rules for the administration and enforcement of the provisions of this section, and for the collection of reasonable fees in connection therewith. f. Prohibit the commencement of construction until a permit has been issued by the local building department after a showing of compliance with the requirements of the applicable provisions of the state building code. 3. The specifications for all buildings to be constructed after July 1, 1977, and which exceed a total volume of one hundred thousand cubic feet of enclosed space that is heated or cooled shall be reviewed by a licensed architect or licensed engineer for compliance with applicable energy efficiency standards. A statement that a review has been accomplished and that the design is in compliance with the energy efficiency standards shall be signed and sealed by the responsible licensed architect or licensed engineer. This statement shall be filed with the commissioner prior to construction. If the specifications relating to energy efficiency for a specific structure have been approved, additional buildings may be constructed from those same plans and specifications without need of further approval if construction begins within five years of the date of approval. Alterations of a structure which has been previously approved shall not require a review because of these changes, provided the basic structure remains unchanged. [C73, 75, 77, 79, 81, §103A.19] 2007 Acts, ch 97, §2, 3; 2007 Acts, ch 126, §21; 2008 Acts, ch 1032, §201; 2008 Acts, ch 1126, §12, 33; 2017 Acts, ch 131, §7 Referred to in §103A.10, 103A.10A, 103A.21 Architect’s seal required, §544A.28