Which of the following is NOT a general power of an administrative board of appeals?

• A. Reverse the decision of the building official.
• B. Verify or modify the provisions of the code when the intent of the code is ensured.
• C. Permit or prohibit new and innovative building techniques.
• D. Levy fines for code violations.

Answer: (D)

An administrative board of appeals acts as a quasi-judicial reviewer of the building official’s decisions, with the authority to interpret code provisions and ensure the code’s intent is carried out. It can overturn or modify a decision when warranted, and it can permit or prohibit methods or approaches allowed by the code’s framework, including considering new and innovative building techniques so long as they meet the safety and performance standards the code seeks to achieve. However, it does not levy fines or penalties for code violations; enforcement actions and associated penalties come from the enforcing authority, not from the board of appeals. So the power to impose fines is not in the usual scope of an administrative board of appeals.