Building Departments enforce the construction process as determined by state statutes and adopted local ordinances that are often amended or completely rewritten based on the administrative sections of the building code. State agencies provide the basic framework that local jurisdictions use and fill in the blanks, making changes based on the needs of the community. Maybe I am taking your statement out of context, however, based on your previous posts, I don't believe so. The entire permit process is detailed from initial application to certificate of occupancy and everything in between. The majority of the work that Building Departments do is the administrative process.
State law along with local ordinances adopted by the governing bodies of the municipalities dictate what portions of the process are enforced locally.
Here are some examples: SS=State Statute, LO=Local Ordinance
- All contractors must register (free) with the municipality, even if licensed by the state. LO
- No inspections can be performed until a copy of the recorded NOC (Notice of Commencement) is received by the AHJ. SS
- Local authorities fine contractors, architects or engineers for material code violations. SS
- All shoring and reshoring procedures, plans, and details be submitted to the enforcement agency for recordkeeping. SS
- Minimum verbiage required on signed and sealed documents from architects and engineers enforced locally. SS
The process is regulated.