101.62 Uniform dwelling code council.

(1) Construction standards and rules. The uniform dwelling code council shall review the standards and rules for one- and 2-family dwelling construction and recommend a uniform dwelling code for adoption by the department which shall include rules providing for the conservation of energy in the construction and maintenance of dwellings and for costs of specific code provisions to home buyers to be related to the benefits derived from such provisions.

(2) Accessibility. The uniform dwelling code council shall study the need for and availability of one- and 2-family dwellings that are accessible to persons with disabilities, as defined in s. 106.50 (1m) (g), and shall make recommendations to the department for any changes to the uniform dwelling code that may be needed to ensure an adequate supply of one- and 2-family dwellings.

(3) Other matters. The uniform dwelling code council shall consider and make recommendations to the department pertaining to rules and any other matters related to this subchapter. The uniform dwelling code council shall recommend variances for different climate and soil conditions throughout the state.

(4) Reports. The uniform dwelling code council shall prepare a report that consists of the review required under sub. (1) and the recommendations required under sub. (3) once every 6 years. The council shall complete the first report no later than July 7, 2014.

(5) Building inspector complaints.

(a) In this subsection:

1. “Building inspector" means a person who is certified under rules promulgated by the department to make inspections under this subchapter.

2. “Council" means the uniform dwelling code council.

3. “Permittee" means a person who is issued a building permit under this subchapter.

(b) The council shall review complaints received from permittees concerning possible incompetent, negligent, or unethical conduct by building inspectors. After reviewing a complaint received under this paragraph, the council shall recommend that the department suspend or revoke the certification of a building inspector if the council determines that the building inspector has engaged in incompetent, negligent, or unethical conduct.

(c)

1. If a permittee makes a complaint to the council concerning a building inspector, the permittee may do one of the following:

a. Request that the complaint remain anonymous, subject to subd. 2.

b. Allow the complaint to be presented to the building inspector and not remain anonymous.

2. If the permittee chooses to request that the permittee's complaint remain anonymous, the council may not review the complaint unless the council receives 2 additional anonymous complaints regarding the [building] inspector. If 2 or more additional complaints are made, the council shall proceed with its review, and none of the complaints may continue to be anonymous.

Note: A missing word is shown in brackets. Corrective legislation is pending.

3. If the permittee allows the permittee's complaint to be presented to the building inspector without requesting anonymity, the council shall proceed with the review.

(6) Contractors. The uniform dwelling code council shall do all of the following:

(a) Recommend for promulgation by the department rules for certifying the financial responsibility of contractors under s. 101.654. These rules shall include rules providing for the assessment of fees upon applicants for certification of financial responsibility under s. 101.654 and for the suspension and revocation of that certification. The amount of the fees recommended under this paragraph may not exceed an amount that is sufficient to defray the costs incurred in certifying the financial responsibility of applicants under s. 101.654.

(b) Recommend to the department for approval under s. 101.654 (1m) (b) 1. courses that meet continuing education requirements.

(c) Advise the department on the development of course examinations for those persons who are required to pass an examination under s. 101.654 (1m) (b).

History: 1975 c. 404; 1991 a. 295; 1995 a. 27; 1999 a. 82; 2013 a. 23; 2015 a. 29; 2017 a. 240 ss. 7 to 16.