Title 23
Health and Safety

Chapter 27.3
State Building Code

Article 1
Administration and Enforcement

R.I. Gen. Laws § 23-27.3-107.1.1



§ 23-27.3-107.1.1.  Local inspector.


(a) The appropriate local authority may appoint one or more local full-time or part-time inspectors to assist the building official in the performance of his or her duties and in the enforcement of this code.

(b) (1) Building Inspectors-1 shall have a minimum of three (3) years' experience in general building construction and except for the length of experience required shall possess similar qualifications of a local building official as required by § 23-27.3-107.5, and shall possess an International Code Council (ICC) certification as a Residential Building Inspector. However, ICC certification as a Residential Building Inspector shall not be required in the case of a building inspector holding a current state certification prior to July 1, 2010. A Building Inspector-1 is responsible to enforce the provisions of the state residential code SBC-2.
Building Inspectors-2 shall have a minimum of three (3) years' experience in general building construction; shall possess ICC certifications as a Residential Building Inspector and Commercial Building Inspector; and shall possess similar qualifications of a local building official, as required by § 23-27.3-107.5. However, ICC certification as a Residential Building Inspector and a Commercial Building Inspector shall not be required in the case of a building inspector holding a current state certification prior to July 1, 2010. A Building Inspector-2 is authorized to enforce the provisions of both the state building code SBC-1 and the state residential code SBC-2.

(2) Electrical inspectors shall have a minimum of five (5) years' experience and a Rhode Island Class A or Class B electrician's license.

(3) Mechanical inspectors shall have a minimum of five (5) years' experience and a valid Rhode Island master pipe fitters I or journeyperson contractor's license.

(4) Plumbing inspectors shall have a minimum of five (5) years' experience and a Rhode Island master or journeyperson plumber's license.

(5) Mechanical and plumbing inspectors who have been enforcing either code prior to January 1, 1986, may continue to do so.

(c) Inspectors listed in this section shall have the authority to affix their signature to permits that pertain to the work they inspect.

History of Section.
P.L. 1976, ch. 256, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 162, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 179, § 1; P.L. 1989, ch. 190, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 303, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 223, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 270, § 1; P.L. 2020, ch. 79, art. 2, § 14.