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.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 103A.19

  • board: means the state building code board of review created by this chapter. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • building: includes any part of a building unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Building regulations: means any law, bylaw, rule, resolution, regulation, ordinance, or code or compilation enacted or adopted, by the state or any governmental subdivision, including departments, boards, bureaus, commissions or other agencies, relating to the construction, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair or use of buildings and installation of equipment therein. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • code: means the state building code provided for in section 103A. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Commissioner: means the state building code commissioner created by this chapter. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Construction: means the construction, erection, reconstruction, alteration, conversion, repair, equipping of buildings, structures or facilities, and requirements or standards relating to or affecting materials used in connection therewith, including provisions for safety and sanitary conditions. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Department: means the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Director: means the director of the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing or the director's designee. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Governmental subdivision: means any city, county, or combination thereof. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Local building department: means an agency of any governmental subdivision charged with the administration, supervision, or enforcement of building regulations, approval of plans, inspection of buildings, or the issuance of permits, licenses, certificates and similar documents, prescribed or required by state or local building regulations. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Local building regulations: means building regulations adopted by a governmental subdivision. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • Owner: means the owner of the premises, a mortgagee or vendee in possession, an assignee of rents, or a receiver, executor, trustee, lessee or other person in control of a building or structure. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories, and the words "United States" may include the said district and territories. See Iowa Code 4.1
  • State agency: means a state department, board, bureau, commission, or agency of the state of Iowa. See Iowa Code 103A.3
  • structure: includes any part of a structure unless the context clearly requires a different meaning. See Iowa Code 103A.3
 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.
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