Most city building officials oversee the permit and inspection process of commercial and residential properties, but the job of a county building official can be a bit more extensive. In…
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Articles from May 2025
A Day in the Life of a County Building Official: Miami-Dade County
City building officials frequently have jurisdiction over residential and commercial properties, but a county building official’s extensive work may include airports, seaports and more.
5 Steps for a Successful Transition from Code Official to Code Consultant
Many code officials evolve their careers – or extend them following retirement – by consulting full- or part-time. Here are five steps for a successful transition.
The journey to become a code official is one that requires patience, persistence and a commitment to achieving and maintaining building safety. It is a challenging but rewarding career with…
How Building Officials Can Prepare Their Successors
The long road to becoming a building official starts with knowledge of the code but involves so much more.
The job of a building official can be both rewarding and trying. Anyone in this field will tell you that no two days are ever the same. For building officials,…
International Residential Code: Understanding the Importance of Foundation Performance (Part 1)
A strong foundation is a crucial part of any building, since it serves as the primary structural base, supporting the entire weight of the building and distributing it evenly across the ground. The foundation prevents the house from sinking or shifting due to soil movement, thus ensuring stability and protecting against potential structural damage.
A strong foundation is a crucial part of any building, since it serves as the primary structural base, supporting the entire weight of the building and distributing it evenly across the…
The Career Path of a Building Safety Professional
From business owner to Building Official, Merry Westerlin’s success shows how hard work and determination pays off in this industry.
Building safety professionals have a wide range of backgrounds, but few are as varied as that of Merry Westerlin. Her hard work and determination shaped her career, first as a…
Code Corner: 2024 International Private Sewage Disposal Code Chapter 6: Section 602 – Sizing Soil Absorption Systems
The Code Corner, explores sections of the I-Codes each month, focusing on key elements of these essential codes. This month, we’re spotlighting the scope of Chapter 6 Section 602 of the 2024 International Private Sewage Disposal Code: Sizing Soil Absorption Systems.
The International Codes® (I-Codes), developed by the International Code Council, are a family of fifteen coordinated, modern building safety codes that help ensure the design and construction of safe, sustainable and affordable…
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