(a) As used in this Code section, the term:

(1) "ICC" means the International Code Council.

(2) "Qualified inspector" means:

(A) A person inspecting for compliance with the International Building Code or the building portion of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings who holds a certification from the ICC as a building inspector;

(B) A person inspecting for the compliance of residential buildings with the National Electrical Code or the electrical portion of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings who holds a certification from the ICC as a residential electrical inspector or an electrical contractor license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board;

(C) A person inspecting for the compliance of nonresidential buildings with the National Electrical Code who holds a certification from the ICC as a commercial electrical inspector or an electrical contractor license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board;

(D) A person inspecting for compliance with the International Fuel Gas Code who holds a certification from the ICC as a mechanical inspector or plumbing inspector or a conditioned air contractor, journeyman plumber, or master plumber license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board;

(E) A person inspecting for compliance with the International Mechanical Code or the mechanical portion of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings who holds a certification from the ICC as a mechanical inspector or a conditioned air contractor license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board;

(F) A person inspecting for compliance with the International Plumbing Code or the plumbing portion of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings who holds a certification from the ICC as a plumbing inspector or a journeyman plumber or master plumber license from the State Construction Industry Licensing Board;

(G) A person inspecting for compliance with any portion of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings who holds a certification from the ICC as a one and two-family dwelling inspector;

(H) A person inspecting for compliance with the International Energy Conservation Code for Buildings who has completed eight hours of training that is conducted or approved by the department; or

(I) A person inspecting for compliance with any of the codes listed in subparagraphs (A) through (H) of this paragraph who holds:

(i) A certificate of registration as a professional engineer issued under Chapter 15 of Title 43 and is practicing within the scope of his or her branch of engineering expertise while conducting such inspection;

(ii) A level II, III, IV, or V certification from the Building Officials Association of Georgia, provided that such levels of certification require work experience and an examination by the ICC or a testing agency approved by the Building Officials Association of Georgia; or

(iii) A level II, III, IV, or V certification from the Building Officials Association of Georgia on July 1, 2015.

(3) "State Construction Industry Licensing Board" means that board created pursuant to Code Section 43-14-3.

(b) The governing authority of any municipality or county which has adopted provisions for the enforcement of the state minimum standard codes shall post a notice stating whether the personnel employed by that governing authority to conduct inspections for compliance with such codes are qualified inspectors. Such notice shall separately address each minimum standard code enumerated in subdivisions (9)(A)(i)(I) through (9)(A)(i)(VIII) or (9)(B)(i)(I) through (9)(B)(i)(VIII) of Code Section 8-2-20 and the building, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing portions of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, and state whether all personnel assigned to conduct inspections for the particular code or portion of the code are qualified inspectors for that code or portion of the code.

(c) If such notice states that not all personnel assigned to conduct inspections for a particular state minimum standard code or portion of such code are qualified inspectors for that code or portion of the code, then the governing authority may retain qualified inspectors not employed by the governing authority to conduct inspections. If the governing authority does not so retain qualified inspectors, then any person, firm, or corporation engaged in a construction project which requires inspection shall have the option of retaining, at its own expense, a person who is a qualified inspector for that code or portion of the code and who is not an employee of or otherwise affiliated with or financially interested in such person, firm, or corporation to provide the required inspection.

(d) The person, firm, or corporation retaining a qualified inspector to conduct an inspection pursuant to this Code section shall be required to pay to the county or municipality which requires the inspection the same permit fees and charges which would have been required had the inspection been conducted by a county or municipal inspector.

(e) A qualified inspector retained pursuant to this Code section shall be empowered to perform any inspection required by the governing authority of any county or municipality, including but not limited to inspections for footings, foundations, concrete slabs, framing, electrical, plumbing, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), or any and all other inspections necessary or required for the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the governing authority of any county or municipality; provided, however, that the qualified inspector must possess the qualifications described in paragraph (2) of subsection (a) of this Code section for the particular type of inspection. Any inspection conducted pursuant to this Code section shall be no less extensive than an inspection conducted by a county or municipal inspector.

(f) Upon submission by the qualified inspector of a copy of his or her inspection report to the local governing authority, said local governing authority shall be required to accept the inspection of the qualified inspector without the necessity of further inspection or approval by the inspectors or other personnel employed by the local governing authority unless said governing authority has notified the qualified inspector, within two business days after the submission of the inspection report, that it finds the report incomplete or the inspection inadequate and has provided the qualified inspector with a written description of the deficiencies and specific code requirements that have not been adequately addressed.

(g) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to apply to inspections for compliance with a state or local fire safety standard or erosion control standard.

(h) Nothing in this Code section shall be construed to limit any public or private right of action designed to provide protection, rights, or remedies for consumers.