Who is responsible for enforcing building codes that address maintenance and use?

The responsibility for enforcing building codes that pertain to the maintenance and use of structures primarily falls to the building department. Building departments are specifically tasked with ensuring that construction and renovation comply with local codes designed to safeguard public health, safety, and welfare. They conduct inspections, issue permits, and enforce regulations that cover a range of issues, from structural integrity to electrical systems, plumbing, and fire safety.

While the fire department does play an essential role in fire prevention and enforcement of fire codes, its features are more focused on safety measures specifically related to fire hazards and response rather than the broader aspects of building maintenance and overall compliance with building codes.

Public health departments concentrate on health-related issues, which may overlap with building standards in areas such as sanitation and environmental health, but they do not enforce building codes directly. The city council may create or update building ordinances and codes, but it does not engage in day-to-day enforcement; that task is delegated to the building department.