Permit Technician Practice Test

Who grants the authority to adopt construction codes?

1. State governments

2. General contractors

3. Federal government

4. Local building departments

The correct answer is: Federal government

The authority to adopt construction codes is primarily granted by state governments. State governments play a crucial role in establishing and enforcing building codes, including health and safety standards, structural integrity requirements, and accessibility provisions. These codes are then often adopted at the local level, but the foundational authority comes from the state legislature, which sets the legal framework for building practices within their jurisdiction. While local building departments do implement and enforce these codes based on state guidelines, they do not have the authority to create or adopt construction codes independently without state approval. The federal government does have influence over specific codes, particularly related to federal properties or to ensure compliance with nationwide safety standards, but it does not typically oversee the broader spectrum of construction codes as they are largely managed at the state and local levels. General contractors operate within the parameters set by these codes but do not have the authority to establish them.