(a) Purpose. The purpose of this code is to provide minimum standards for the protection of life, health, environment, public safety and general welfare, and for the conservation of energy in the design and construction of buildings and structures.

(b) Authority. The Building Commissioner is hereby authorized and directed to administer and enforce all of the provisions of this code. Whenever in this code, it is provided that anything must be done to the approval of or subject to the direction of the Building Commissioner, or any other designated representative of the Town of St. John, this shall be construed to give such duly designated representative of the Town only the discretion of determining whether this code has been complied with. No such provision shall be construed as giving any duly designated representative of the Town discretionary powers as to what this code shall be, or power to require conditions not prescribed by ordinances or to enforce this code in an arbitrary or discriminatory manner. Any variance from adopted building rules is subject to approval under Indiana Code 22-13-2-7(b), as amended from time to time.

(c) Scope. The provisions of this code apply to the construction, alteration, repair, use, occupancy, and addition to all buildings and structures, other than industrialized building systems or mobile structures certified under Indiana Code 22-15-4, as amended from time to time, in the Town of St. John, Lake County, Indiana.