National Study Compares Ohio Code Enforcement Industry to Other States
In an effort to modernize and streamline professional building code enforcement throughout the state, the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Board of Building Standards recently engaged the International Code Council (ICC) to conduct a comprehensive study to provide current information on national industry trends and best practices related to code enforcement. This information will be used to identify potential areas of improvement as well as updates that could be considered within the board’s scope of authority.
The study was initiated in 2023 with the goal of proactively identifying emerging trends and best practices regarding code enforcement, building department fees, as well as compensation and qualifications for building department personnel. Building code enforcement personnel include plans examiners as well as structural, electrical, and plumbing inspectors, all of whom play a critical role in helping to ensure residential, commercial, and public buildings are built safely and are in compliance with state building code.
For this study, the ICC surveyed its more than 63,000 members as well as career centers to fully understand position qualifications, compensation details, and trends in Ohio and across the nation.
As it relates to compensation, the survey found that, on average, salaries for building officials, inspectors and plans examiners within the state of
Ohio were higher than those in other states; however, Ohio trade inspector salaries were slightly lower than peer organizations. The survey also found that fees charged in the state of Ohio are generally lower than those of other statewide agencies.
In addition, the survey determined that Ohio has stricter requirements and more restrictions regarding the qualifications and certifications of state inspectors. For example, in order for a building department to be certified to process non-residential permits, a certified building official, building inspector, and plans examiner are all required. Such requirements were only found in Ohio.
The study also found that, when compared to other states, Ohio has more rigorous education and work experience requirements for certification. In many cases, individuals may need upwards of a decade of combined education and work experience before they can sit for the exam and become certified in Ohio. This experience requirement exceeds the national average.
“This study has served as an important tool for the Board to more fully understand where we should target our efforts to update and streamline certification standards for building department personnel in Ohio, while continuing to ensure that individuals working in code enforcement are professional, knowledgeable and experienced,” Board Chair Timothy Galvin said.
With the new Ohio Building
Code having gone into effect March 1, 2024, the Board of Building Standards will reference information contained in this study to identify potential adjustments that should be made to certification standards in order to promote careers in code enforcement and remove potential barriers for employment. ###
The Division of Industrial Compliance is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio’s chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com. ohio.gov.