(a) 
In accordance with the prescribed procedures of this jurisdiction, the building official shall have the authority to appoint an assistant building official, building inspectors, and other related technical and clerical staff as may be approved. Where the term "building official" or "code official" is used in this chapter, it shall mean either the chief building official or his authorized representative.
(b) 
An official or employee connected with the department of building inspections shall not be directly, or indirectly, engaged or connected with the furnishing of labor, materials or appliances for the construction, alteration or maintenance of a building within the City of North Richland Hills. Such officer or employee shall not engage in any work that conflicts with the official duties or with the interests of the department.
(c) 
The building official, his designee, and/or a building inspector shall be authorized during reasonable hours to enter any building or premises in the discharge of their official duties, or for the purpose of making any inspection or reinspection of the structure.
(Code 1975, § 5-10; Ordinance 3000, § 1, adopted 5/12/2008)
(a) 
There is hereby created a Construction Code Appeals Board. There shall be seven members of such board recommended by city staff and appointed by the City Council. No member shall be a city employee. Members may be removed by the City Council. At least one member shall be a registered master electrician; one shall be a state-licensed master plumber; one shall be a master mechanical contractor; one person shall be a registered design professional with architectural or civil/structural engineering experience and be duly licensed by the State of Texas; and all others shall be knowledgeable of construction methods and materials with at least ten years of building construction experience. Each appointee shall serve a term equal to the term length of the mayor and council members, unless appointed to fulfill a vacancy. Members may be reappointed. Four members shall constitute a quorum. The board shall select a chair from its members to preside at meetings and may adopt rules of conduct of meetings. The building official and fire marshal shall be ex officio members without vote.
(b) 
The board shall serve as an appeals board as contemplated by the building, electrical, plumbing, residential, mechanical, fire, fuel gas, energy, swimming pool and spa, and existing buildings codes adopted by the city. To the extent that such codes contemplate different terms of office or qualifications of members, this section shall prevail.
(c) 
Meetings of the board shall be public and notice of all meetings shall be posted in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's note–See Texas Government Code, chapter 551.
(Code 1975, § 5-11; Ordinance 3000, § 1, adopted 5/12/2008; Ordinance 3607, § 2, adopted 9/23/2019; Ordinance 3947 adopted 2/9/2026; Ordinance 3957 adopted 5/26/2026)
(a) 
Any person may appeal an interpretation of the substantive provisions of building, electrical, plumbing, residential, mechanical, fire, fuel gas, energy, swimming pool and spa, and existing buildings codes, or the disapproval or refusal of any permit thereunder to the extent provided in such codes, by filing a written notice with the official who made the interpretation or who refused or disapproved such permit. Such notice shall be filed within ten days after any interpretation is made or permit refused or disapproved.
(b) 
Such appeals shall be placed on the agenda of the construction code appeals board for hearing. The secretary shall notify all necessary parties of the date, time and location of the hearing. Parties may appear before the board in person, by agents, or by attorney. The board may require such additional data, tests, or expert professionals that it deems necessary for adequate decision of the appeal. The appellant shall be required to pay a nonrefundable fee in the amount listed in the fee ordinance per appeal at the time that the appeal application is submitted to the building official. The building official shall transmit to the board all records and data in his possession that are relevant to the appeal. All orders or decisions made pursuant to this chapter which are appealed from shall be stayed pending the final decision of the board. However, if the building official certifies to the board that by staying such order or decision a hazardous situation to life or property would exist, then such order or decision shall remain in full effect pending the final decision of the board. The building official shall enforce and execute all decisions and orders of the board. No decision of an official of the city shall be overturned or modified on appeal unless four members of the board vote to do so.
(c) 
No variance may be granted unless the code in question provides for such variances, and no variance shall be granted unless four board members vote in favor of such variance.
(Code 1975, § 5-12; Ordinance 3607, § 3, adopted 9/23/2019)