(2) The Department of Consumer and Business Services may implement a master builder program in one or more geographic areas for which the department provides plan review or inspection services. A department decision to include an area as a participant in the program affects only those areas, and those reviews or inspections, for which the department provides services instead of a local government. The department shall notify a county prior to implementing a master builder program in areas of the county that are served by the department.

(3) A local government may not allow an individual to perform the duties of a master builder unless the local government has a master builder program. The department may allow an individual to perform the duties of a master builder in any geographic area administered by the department.

(4) A building official of a government having a master builder program may waive plan review elements by that government and may waive government performance of one or more of the required inspections identified by department rule, including but not limited to inspections described in subsection (6) of this section, if:

(a) An individual certified as a master builder submits construction plans for a one or two family dwelling regulated by the Low-Rise Residential Dwelling Code; and

(b) The building official determines that:

(A) The work is not of a highly technical nature; and

(B) There is no unreasonable potential risk to safety of the structure.

(5) A building official may not waive government performance of plan review or required inspections for:

(a) Special design applications that are complex and highly technical engineered systems; or

(b) Unique building sites, including but not limited to sites containing geologic hazards such as landslide hazard areas, floodplains and wetlands.

(6) Subject to subsections (3) to (5) of this section, a building official may allow a master builder to verify that the master builder has properly performed an installation on a project and, to the extent that inspection would duplicate the verification conducted by the master builder, may waive government performance of the following required inspections:

(a) Drywall;

(b) Footings and setbacks;

(c) Foundation walls, Ufer grounding rods and rebar;

(d) Insulation;

(e) Masonry fireplace pre-cover;

(f) Masonry rebar;

(g) Gutters, downspouts and foundation drains;

(h) Roof sheathing nailing;

(i) Suspended ceilings;

(j) Underfloor structural; and

(k) Wall sheathing nailing. [2001 c.406 §4; 2003 c.675 §40]

Note: See note under 455.800.