A new code becomes law when:

A new code becomes law when:

• A. Approved by the building inspector.
• B. Adopted by the governing agency.
• C. Published in the newspaper.
• D. Consent of the architect.

Answer: (B)

Codes become enforceable law only after the governing body adopts them as part of local or state regulations. Model codes are published by standards organizations, but they don’t become law until a city, county, or state council votes to adopt them (often via ordinance) and the adoption is published. Publication alone doesn’t make it law, and the architect’s consent isn’t a legal mechanism for code adoption. Building inspectors enforce whatever code is in effect, but they don’t create the law themselves.

Codes become enforceable law only after the governing body adopts them as part of local or state regulations. Model codes are published by standards organizations, but they don’t become law until a city, county, or state council votes to adopt them (often via ordinance) and the adoption is published. Publication alone doesn’t make it law, and the architect’s consent isn’t a legal mechanism for code adoption. Building inspectors enforce whatever code is in effect, but they don’t create the law themselves.