AN ACT RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE (Allows for building inspectors to conduct “virtual inspections” or utilize photographic evidence, at the building official’s discretion, from time to time during and upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit.)

H8020

2026 -- H 8020
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LC005761
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE

Introduced By:
Representatives Casey, Phillips, and J. Brien

Date Introduced:
February 27, 2026

Referred To:
House Municipal Government & Housing
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Section 23-27.3-111.2 of the General Laws in Chapter 23-27.3 entitled "State
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Building Code" is hereby amended to read as follows:
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23-27.3-111.2. Inspection.
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(a) The building official shall make all required inspections as specified in the provisions
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of this code and the building official shall conduct the inspections from time to time during and
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upon completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit; and the building
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official shall maintain a record of all the examinations and inspections and of all violations of this
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code. In conjunction with specific construction projects, the building official may designate specific
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inspection points in the course of construction which require the contractor or builder to give the
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building official twenty-four (24) hours notice prior to the time when the inspections are required
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to be performed. The building official shall make the inspection within forty-eight (48) hours after
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the notification; weekend days and holidays are not included in the forty-eight (48) hours.
The
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building official, in the building official’s discretion, may conduct “virtual inspections”, or inspect
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photographic evidence, to review completion of work for which the building official has issued a
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permit. For the purposes of this section “virtual inspections” involve remote assessments of
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properties or sites using video technology, avoiding on-site presence by inspectors.
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(b) If the building official fails to perform an inspection within the time frame set forth in
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this section, the contractor or builder may hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state
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inspector. The building official shall accept reports of such inspections. For the purposes of this

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section, a qualified third-party inspector shall mean an individual certified in accordance with the
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provisions of § 23-27.3-107.6 or any professional authorized by the provisions of § 23-27.3-
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108.1.4. In order to hire a qualified third-party inspector or the state inspector, the contractor or
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builder shall notify the building official via email of the intent to hire a qualified third-party
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inspector or the state inspector to perform the inspection at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to the
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hire. If the state inspector performs the inspection, the salary and operating expenses for services
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provided shall be reimbursed to the state by the city or town receiving the services and shall be
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deposited as general revenues.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO HEALTH AND SAFETY -- STATE BUILDING CODE
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This act would allow for building inspectors to conduct “virtual inspections” or utilize
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photographic evidence, at the building official’s discretion, from time to time during and upon
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completion of the work for which the building official has issued a permit.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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LC005761
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LC005761 - Page 3 of 3