(a) The Director, in accordance with Chapter 8, may recommend a waiver of an examination of plans for the erection or alteration of a building which involve structural work or structural changes affecting public safety or health if:
(1) the plans are prepared by a licensed engineer or registered architect; and
(2) the plans are accompanied by an affidavit by the applicant and the supervising engineer or architect that:
(A) the architect or engineer has supervised the preparation of the architectural, structural, and mechanical design plan; and
(B) the plans conform to this Chapter and regulations adopted under it.
(b) The Director may waive all or part of the regular field inspection of construction if the architect or engineer certifies to the Director that:
(1) the architect or engineer will supervise and check all working drawings and shop details for the construction; and
(2) the structure will be built under the architect’s or engineer’s field supervision in accordance with the approved plans.
(c) The Director may waive any final inspection required under this Chapter which relates to the issuance of a certificate of use and occupancy if the registered engineer or architect who supervised the construction or reconstruction of the building certifies to the Director under oath that:
(1) the building has been built in accordance with the approved plans; and
(2) The building, as built or reconstructed, complies with this Chapter and all other laws and regulations except any variations specifically authorized.
(d) The Director may grant a waiver related to plan review under subsection (a) if the waiver is warranted in light of subsection (a) and:
(1) the experience of the architect or engineer in dealing with fire safety features of building construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation;
(2) the availability and deployment of inspection personnel; and
(3) other health and safety factors relevant under the circumstances.
(e) The Director may grant a waiver related to construction inspection, and use and occupancy inspection under subsections (b) and (c), if the waiver is warranted in light of subsections (b) and (c) and:
(1) the experience of the architect or engineer in dealing with fire safety features of building construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation;
(2) the availability and deployment of inspection personnel; and
(3) other factors of health and safety deemed relevant under the circumstances.
(f) The Director must issue a decision on a request for a waiver under subsections (a), (b), and (c), within 10 days after receiving the request. The Director has complete discretion to approve or reject a waiver. The decision of the Director is final, and no appeal may be taken. If the Director grants a waiver, the Director must find in writing that the waiver complies with subsection (d) or (e), as applicable.
(g) The Director may grant a waiver under this Section only to the extent permitted under State and local law.(1979 L.M.C., ch. 41, § 1; 1996 L.M.C., ch. 20, § 1; 1998 L.M.C., ch. 12, § 1; 2001 L.M.C., ch. 14, § 1; 2002 L.M.C., ch. 16, § 2; 2010 L.M.C., ch. 49, § 1; 2016 L.M.C., ch. 30, §1.)