When must contractors follow building codes?

Contractors must always adhere to building codes, regardless of client instructions, to ensure the safety, health, and welfare of the public. Building codes are established regulations that set the standards for construction and building practices to prevent hazardous conditions. Following these codes is crucial to ensure that structures are safe, environmentally sound, and up to the legal requirements specified by local, state, and federal authorities.

When contractors comply with building codes, they help protect against structural failures, fire hazards, and other potential dangers that could arise from non-compliance. This obligation exists independent of the client's wishes because the laws governing construction are in place to uphold community safety standards, and ignoring them could lead to legal repercussions for the contractor and possible safety risks for occupants.

In contrast, other choices suggest scenarios that do not provide comprehensive grounds for compliance. For instance, merely following client requests, only acting upon permit issuance, or limiting compliance to commercial projects does not encompass the full extent of a contractor's legal and ethical responsibilities. Building codes are universally applicable to all construction projects to uphold safety standards in the built environment.