The code official is appointed by the _____.

The code official is typically appointed by the chief appointing authority, which is often a designated authority in a municipality or government organization with the power to make such appointments. This individual is responsible for overseeing the enforcement of building codes and regulations, ensuring compliance with local ordinances and state laws.

In this context, the chief appointing authority has the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that qualified personnel are chosen to maintain the integrity of public safety and ensure that standards are met within the community. This allows for a separation of powers, where the chief appointing authority can make objective decisions regarding appointments without conflicts of interest that may arise from appointing individuals from within the same department they will oversee.

The other options represent roles that may play significant parts in the construction and inspection processes but do not have the explicit authority to officially appoint the code official. This distinction is important to ensure that the plumbing and other construction-related issues adhere to the regulations set forth for public safety and quality standards.