Third-party inspection firms

(1) As used in this section: (a) "Building permit applicant" means an individual who applies to a local regulator for a building permit. (b) "Inspection" means a physical examination of all aspects of a structure to ensure compliance with the State Construction Code. (c) "Local regulator" means the same as that terms is defined in Section 15A-1-202. (d) "Third-party inspection firm" means an entity that: (i) employs or contracts with licensed building inspectors to enforce building codes adopted in this title; (ii) is independent, but may include a building inspector for an adjacent city or county; and (iii) is included on the local regulator's third-party inspection firm list. (e) "Third-party inspection firm list" means a list of: (i) for a first, second, third, or fourth class county, as classified under Section 17-60-104, or a municipality located within a first, second, third, or fourth class county, three or more third-party inspection firms approved by the local regulator; or (ii) for a fifth or sixth class county, as classified under Section 17-60-104, or a municipality located within a fifth or sixth class county, one or more third-party inspection firms approved by the local regulator. (2) (a) Subject to the provisions of this section and Subsections 10-20-909(2) and 17-79-810(2), after submitting a request for inspection, a building permit applicant may engage a third-party inspection firm from the local regulator's third-party inspection firm list to conduct or complete an inspection for the scope of work identified under the original request for inspection. (b) If a building permit applicant wishes to engage a third-party inspection firm in accordance with Subsection (2)(a), the building permit applicant shall first notify the local regulator of the third-party inspection firm the building permit applicant intends to engage. (c) Upon completing the inspection, the third-party inspection firm shall submit the inspection report to the local regulator. (d) (i) The local regulator shall pay the cost of the inspection to the third-party inspection firm after the local regulator receives the third-party inspection report indicating the third-party inspection firm completed the inspection. (ii) This section does not require a local regulator to pay for an inspection that exceeds the scope of work identified under the original request for inspection. (3) (a) The local regulator shall issue a certificate of occupancy to the building permit applicant if the third-party inspection firm: (i) completes the inspection; and (ii) submits the inspection report to the local regulator. (b) The local regulator shall promptly issue the certificate of occupancy or letter of completion after the third-party inspection firm submits the final inspection report to the local regulator as described in Subsection (3)(a)(ii). (4) A local regulator is not liable for any inspection performed by a third-party inspection firm.