Cal. Civ. Code § 8-2-202
Definitions.
Operative Text
As used in this article, the term: (1) “Enforcement authority” means the Safety Fire Commissioner, the state fire marshal, local building officials, local fire marshals, or any other state or local officials responsible for the implementation, application, or enforcement of any state law or local ordinance relating to building construction, or any state or local rule or regulation relating to building construction, or any building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety or fire prevention codes, or other construction standards that apply or are intended to apply to existing buildings. The term “enforcement authority” also means any local official designated by the local governing authority as the enforcement authority for the purposes of this article. (2) “Existing building or structure” means any completed building or structure which has been placed in service for a minimum of five years. (3) “Safety Fire Commissioner” or “Commissioner” means the office created in Code Section 25-2-2.
O.C.G.A. § 8-2-202 establishes the core definitions that govern how Georgia's existing-building code article is applied and enforced. It identifies who qualifies as an 'enforcement authority'—a broad category that includes state fire officials, local building and fire officials, and any other state or local officials responsible for building construction laws, codes, or standards—as well as locally designated officials. It also defines an 'existing building or structure' as any completed building that has been in service for at least five years, and clarifies that 'Safety Fire Commissioner' refers to the office established under Code Section 25-2-2.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers should be aware that under O.C.G.A. § 8-2-202, the range of officials who may inspect or enforce building, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life safety, and fire prevention codes on existing properties is intentionally broad. A compliant operator generally maintains familiarity with which local and state officials hold enforcement authority over their specific property type and location, since that authority may rest with the Safety Fire Commissioner, a local building official, a local fire marshal, or a locally designated representative. Because the definition of 'existing building or structure' applies to completed structures in service for five or more years, operators of such properties should expect these code provisions to apply to their holdings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
O.C.G.A. § 8-2-202 is relevant to tenants because it defines who holds the power to enforce building and fire safety codes in Georgia, which can affect the habitability and safety of rental housing. Tenants living in a completed building that has been in service for at least five years may be in a property subject to this article's enforcement framework, meaning complaints about code conditions can potentially be directed to the Safety Fire Commissioner, local building officials, or local fire marshals, depending on the issue. Tenants who believe their building has unaddressed safety or code violations may consider contacting the appropriate enforcement authority identified under this section or reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for guidance on available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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