[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of
the Town of Smithfield 6-27-1978 (Ch. 7, Art. II, of the 1985 Code of Ordinances); amended in its
entirety 3-19-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-3. Subsequent amendments noted where
applicable.]
There shall be a Building Official for the Town, who shall be
appointed by the Town Manager and who shall serve at the pleasure
of the Town Manager. The Building Official shall be appointed pursuant
to R.I.G.L. § 23-27.3-107.5; however, the Town Manager may
make a temporary appointment to evaluate the ability of the appointee
to be the Building Official.
The Building Official, to be eligible for appointment, shall
have at least five years' experience in both residential and
commercial construction, shall have been employed as a Building Inspector-2
for a minimum of one year, and shall possess an International Code
Council (ICC) certification as a certified building official (CBO)
or any combination of education and experience that the Building Code
Standards Committee deems to be substantially equivalent. The Building
Official shall possess a thorough knowledge of the principles and
practices of residential and commercial building construction and
the ability to review plans and supervise staff in the enforcement
of the State Building Code. See R.I.G.L. Ch. 23-27.3, entitled "State
Building Code."
In addition to other duties specifically defined by the General
Laws, it shall be the duty of the Building Official to:
A.
Issue all permits to builders or owners covering all phases or work
to be constructed within the Town;
B.
Have knowledge of all codes, zoning laws, subdivision laws, etc.,
in order that he/she may enlighten any person requiring such information;
C.
Inspect all properties being built, altered, changing in use or occupancy,
or added to. Inspection shall include occupancy, foundation, pre-finish,
energy efficiency, final and any other inspections deemed necessary.
The Building Official shall provide a digital or physical written
inspection report to the permit applicant and the owner that the scope
of work has been approved or disapproved;
D.
Act as the Zoning Enforcement Officer and enforce all zoning laws
adopted by the Town Council;
E.
Serve as the Zoning Enforcement Officer unless a Zoning Enforcement
Officer is separately appointed;
F.
Act as the Minimum Housing Enforcement Officer; see R.I.G.L. Ch.
45-24.3;
G.
Serve as the Building Inspector unless a Building Inspector is separately
appointed;
H.
Inform the Town Council, the Conservation Commission and the Planning
Board where the application for a building permit is for land involving
wetlands;
I.
Inspect the prospective land on which any building is to be constructed,
prior to the issuance of a building permit;
J.
Serve as the Earth Removal Officer where building construction is
permitted. See Smithfield Code of Ordinance Chapter § 182,
Earth Removal.
A.
The Town Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a
Deputy Building Official, who shall work under the supervision and
direction of the Town Building Official; the Deputy Building Official
shall carry out the duties of the Town Building Official in the Building
Official's absence and shall serve at the pleasure of the Town
Manager at a compensation to be determined by the Council.
B.
The Town Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint a
Building Inspector, who shall work under the supervision and direction
of the Town Building Official.
C.
The Town Manager is hereby authorized and empowered to appoint one
or more persons to carry out the functions of Mechanical Inspector,
Electrical Inspector and Plumbing Inspector for the Town.
D.
All inspectors shall serve under the supervision and direction of
the Town Building Official and shall serve at the pleasure of the
Town Manager.
