Legal Aspects of Code Administration is an excellent starting point for building officials who want to become better acquainted with the duties and legal responsibilities of enforcing the building code. It is also designed to serve as a refresher for those preparing to take the legal module of the ICC Certified Building Official or Certified Fire Marshal, or both, examinations.

Organized in a logical sequence, this book will take the reader from the earliest building codes to modern codes. Building officials must understand their role in shaping, administering, and enforcing the building code. As agents of state and local governments, building officials must also understand the law and execute their duties in accordance with prevailing statutory and case law. This book will examine and discuss those duties and allow building officials to become successful at their jobs. This updated edition includes recent court decisions affecting building officials.

Topics discussed include:

• History and evolution of the building code
• Federal, state, and local legal considerations
• Administering and enforcing the code
• Constitutional authorities and limitations
• Fourth Amendment (search and seizure) issues
• Property law concepts
• Liability for intentional and negligent wrongdoing
• The public duty doctrine principle
• Federal civil rights considerations
• Taking a case to trial and being an effective witness
• Prevailing case law