Who enforces each one, what edition applies, and what changes next. 8 of 8 state-level topic areas checked against primary sources. OSHA state plan: North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, North Carolina Department of Labor).
| Area | In force | Authority | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire | 2018 North Carolina Fire Code (fire volume of the NC State Building Code), based on the 2015 IFC with NC amendments; effective Jan 1, 2019OSFM states the 2018 NC codes, based on the 2015 International Codes, took effect Jan 1, 2019 and are currently effective. The 2024 code is adopted but its effective date is set by S.L. 2025-2 (12 months after State Fire Marshal certification); the pages read do not show certification. The local fire official confirms the edition. SourceChecked on the source | Local fire code officials in city/county inspection departments; State Fire Marshal (OSFM, Dept. of Insurance) holds general supervisory and enforcement authority under G.S. 143-139; state-owned buildings via Dept. of Administration State Construction Office | 2024 code awaits certification2024 NC Fire Code effective 12 months after State Fire Marshal certification under S.L. 2025-2; OSFM codes page re-read Oct 20, 2026 still lists the 2018 codes as current and shows no certification |
| Building | 2018 North Carolina Building Code (2015 IBC-based, NC amendments) and 2018 NC Existing Building Code (2015 IEBC-based); effective Jan 1, 2019; 2020 NC Electrical Code effective Nov 1, 2021OSFM states the 2018 NC codes (2015 model codes) are currently effective. OSFM's Mar 31, 2025 letter says the 2024 code takes effect 12 months after the State Fire Marshal certifies publication and a fully constituted Residential Code Council (S.L. 2025-2); it may be used now as an alternate method under Sec. 102.5. SourceChecked on the source | Municipal and county inspection departments (G.S. 143-139); NC Building Code Council adopts; OSFM Engineering Division supervises; State Construction Office for state-owned buildings; NCDOL for boilers and elevators | 2024 code awaits certification2024 NC State Building Code effective 12 months after State Fire Marshal certification (S.L. 2025-2 s. 5.12(b), per OSFM's Mar 31, 2025 letter); OSFM codes page re-read Oct 20, 2026 still lists the 2018 codes as current and shows no certification, so no effective date is set |
| Elevators | Elevator Safety Act (G.S. 95-110.1 et seq.) + 13 NCAC 15; installations must meet ASME A17.1 (edition set by NCDOL rule; rule text not read)G.S. 95-110.1 et seq.: no covered device may operate without a valid certificate of operation; inspections may be as often as every six months. Routine annual fees $200 (under 10 floors) and $300 (10+ floors) since Jul 8, 2025; NCDOL says fees adjust by CPI each Jul 1 from 2026 but posts no adjusted amounts. SourceChecked on the source | NC Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau (state inspectors; certificates of operation issued by the Commissioner) | In forceIn force; NCDOL MEGA page re-read Oct 19, 2026: inspection fees adjust annually by CPI starting Jul 1, 2026, with notice 60 days ahead in the NC Register, but only the schedules effective Jul 8, 2025 are posted (no adjusted amounts) |
| Boilers | Uniform Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act of 1975 (G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 7A) + 13 NCAC 13NCDOL: no boiler or pressure vessel under G.S. Ch. 95 Art. 7A may operate without a current inspection certificate kept on premises. High-pressure boilers: internal and external yearly; miniature and hot-oil boilers yearly; heating, hot-water-supply boilers and water heaters every two years; other pressure vessels two years; hydropneumatic tanks four years. SourceChecked on the source | NC Department of Labor, Boiler Safety Bureau; inspections by state inspectors, insurer special inspectors (insured objects only) or approved owner-user inspectors | In forceIn force; NCDOL Boiler Safety Bureau overview re-read Oct 19, 2026 lists no pending rule change |
| Pools | G.S. 130A-280 to 130A-282 + 15A NCAC 18A .2500 Rules Governing Public Swimming Pools (amended effective Nov 1, 2024)15A NCAC 18A .2500 (amended effective Nov 1, 2024): an operation permit is valid for up to 12 months; seasonal pools are inspected at least once during operation and other pools at least twice a year. Drain covers must meet ANSI/APSP/ICC-16 2017 and ANSI/PHTA/ICC-7 2020. The local health department confirms. SourceChecked on the source | NC DHHS Division of Public Health, Environmental Health Section (rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health); local health departments issue operation permits and inspect | In forceIn force; Rule .2539(d)(1) flow-verification method required before 2026 permitting (DPH position statement Nov 13, 2025); no further amendment posted |
| Lodging | G.S. 130A-248 sanitation permit + 15A NCAC 18A .1800 (effective Oct 1, 2017); G.S. 130A-511 human-trafficking awareness requirements (S.L. 2024-26, effective Jul 1, 2025)G.S. 130A-511 (as amended by S.L. 2026-34): staff hired on or after Jul 1, 2025 complete NCDOL-approved trafficking-awareness training within 60 days; staff employed before then by Jun 30, 2027; repeat every two years. Keep a training log three years after separation; post hotline signage. 18A .1800 sanitation rules show no amendment after Oct 1, 2017. SourceChecked on the source | Local health departments (DHHS Environmental Health Section) for sanitation permits and grading; NC Department of Labor for G.S. 130A-511 training/signage (penalties $500/$1,000/$2,000) | Training deadline Jun 30, 2027Jun 30, 2027: existing lodging employees and contractors must complete NCDOL-approved trafficking-awareness training, then every two years (G.S. 130A-511 re-read Oct 18, 2026, history 2024-26, 2026-34) |
| Workplace | North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, NC Department of Labor); G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 16OSHA page (read Oct 14, 2026): NC State Plan initially approved Feb 1, 1973, certified Oct 5, 1976, final approval Dec 18, 1996. NC OSH covers private-sector workplaces and state and local government, with exclusions such as maritime, USPS contract operations, Indian reservations, certain federal land and military bases. SourceChecked on the source | NC Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health (NC OSH) Division; federal OSHA retains the excluded sectors and anti-retaliation enforcement under the federal Act | In forceIn force; osha.gov approved State Plans page re-read Oct 21, 2026 (private and public sector; 18(e) final approval Dec 18, 1996 per Oct 19, 2026 read) |
| Environmental | Federal EPA baseline plus NC layer: UST notification to DEQ (15A NCAC 02N), air permit exemption or registration for small facilities (15A NCAC 02Q .0102 and 02D .0202), NCDHHS HHCU asbestos permit and demolition/renovation notification, DEQ sewer-overflow reportingDEQ form UST-8 notification for USTs (G.S. 143-215.94C). Air: comfort heaters under 10 million Btu/hr exempt (02Q .0102). Asbestos: HHCU permit over 160 sq ft/260 ln ft/35 cu ft, notice 10 working days ahead; demolitions always need notice. Sewer spills over 1,000 gal or reaching surface water: verbal report within 24 hours; 1,000+ gal to surface water: press release. SourceChecked on the source | NC DEQ (Waste Management, Air Quality, Water Resources); NC DHHS Health Hazards Control Unit; some local air programs; local utilities (grease, backflow, lift stations); U.S. EPA | In forceDEQ emergency-response page re-read Oct 19, 2026: sewer overflows over 1,000 gal or reaching surface water reported within 24 hours, no change. Federal: automatic leak detection for existing 1,500 lb+ commercial refrigeration by Jan 1, 2027 (eCFR 84.108 re-read Oct 21, 2026); next Tier II filing Mar 1, 2027; generator exemption terms, backflow (15A NCAC 18C) and grease rules could not be confirmed on the primary page |
2018 North Carolina Fire Code (fire volume of the NC State Building Code), based on the 2015 IFC with NC amendments; effective Jan 1, 2019. OSFM states the 2018 NC codes, based on the 2015 International Codes, took effect Jan 1, 2019 and are currently effective. The 2024 code is adopted but its effective date is set by S.L. 2025-2 (12 months after State Fire Marshal certification); the pages read do not show certification. The local fire official confirms the edition. Enforced by: Local fire code officials in city/county inspection departments; State Fire Marshal (OSFM, Dept. of Insurance) holds general supervisory and enforcement authority under G.S. 143-139; state-owned buildings via Dept. of Administration State Construction Office.
2018 North Carolina Building Code (2015 IBC-based, NC amendments) and 2018 NC Existing Building Code (2015 IEBC-based); effective Jan 1, 2019; 2020 NC Electrical Code effective Nov 1, 2021. OSFM states the 2018 NC codes (2015 model codes) are currently effective. OSFM's Mar 31, 2025 letter says the 2024 code takes effect 12 months after the State Fire Marshal certifies publication and a fully constituted Residential Code Council (S.L. 2025-2); it may be used now as an alternate method under Sec. 102.5. Enforced by: Municipal and county inspection departments (G.S. 143-139); NC Building Code Council adopts; OSFM Engineering Division supervises; State Construction Office for state-owned buildings; NCDOL for boilers and elevators.
Elevators: NC Department of Labor, Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau (state inspectors; certificates of operation issued by the Commissioner) (Elevator Safety Act (G.S. 95-110.1 et seq.) + 13 NCAC 15; installations must meet ASME A17.1 (edition set by NCDOL rule; rule text not read)). Boilers: NC Department of Labor, Boiler Safety Bureau; inspections by state inspectors, insurer special inspectors (insured objects only) or approved owner-user inspectors (Uniform Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act of 1975 (G.S. Ch. 95, Art. 7A) + 13 NCAC 13).
North Carolina runs an OSHA-approved state plan: North Carolina State Plan (NC OSH Division, North Carolina Department of Labor). The state agency enforces workplace safety rules for most private employers.
Lodging: Training deadline Jun 30, 2027 (Jun 30, 2027: existing lodging employees and contractors must complete NCDOL-approved trafficking-awareness training, then every two years (G.S. 130A-511 re-rea); Jan 1, 2027: Automatic leak detection required by this date on 1,500 lb+ HFC commercial and industrial-process refrigeration installed Jan 1, 2017 through Dec 31, 2025 (eCFR current as of Oct 9, 2026); Mar 1, 2027: EPCRA Tier II chemical inventory filing.
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