An 1892 engraving of a municipal records vault, every wall lined floor to ceiling with filing drawers.

Appeals

You may appeal.

Every finding may be appealed. Appeals are determined by an Inspector appointed for the purpose, who took no part in the original finding and is otherwise very much like the inspector who did.

Due process

Every builder is entitled to a decision

Any notice of violation, closing order or interpretation of the Code may be appealed within 28 days of the date on the notice. Appeals received on day 29 are acknowledged, courteously, and returned.

Each appeal is determined by an appointed Inspector. Inspectors are independent of Up To Code in every respect except employment.

A wooden mallet with a pale head and a dark handle on a grey background. — The gavel is not used. Decisions are issued in writing, usually some weeks after anyone can remember what the appeal was about.

2,688 Appeals determined

31 weeks Median time to a decision

1 Allowed in part (the handrail)

3 Withdrawn after the site visit

Procedure

How an appeal is decided

Most appeals

Written representations

Each party sets out its case in writing, and may comment once on the other's. Neither may comment on the comments. Appellants who attach a video walkthrough are reminded that the Inspector will be visiting anyway.

Where there is something to discuss

Hearing

A round-table discussion, held in-world and led by the Inspector. The atmosphere is informal. Avatars are asked to remain seated, at the table, at a normal size.

Rarely

Inquiry

For appeals of unusual complexity, or unusual persistence. Witnesses are called and cross-examined. The longest inquiry to date sat for nine days and concerned one staircase.

Every procedure

The site visit

The Inspector visits the world unaccompanied, from the spawn point. They will not discuss the case with either party during the visit, and will not be drawn on the chandelier.

Extract from a decision

Appeal Ref: UTC/APP/25/0412

Site visit made on 14 March 2025. Premises: "The Lighthouse (Sunset)". The appeal is made against a notice of violation under § 1015.2. The appeal is dismissed.

Main issue. 1. The main issue is whether the edge of the lantern gallery is adequately guarded.

Reasons. 2. The gallery is at the top of the lighthouse, some 40 m above the sea, and is open on all sides. The appellant states that the absence of a railing is intentional and allows an uninterrupted view of the sunset. I have no doubt that it does.

3. The appellant further states that nobody has fallen. I saw no evidence either way, the sea having no collider.

4. I have had regard to the appellant's description of the lighthouse as "a vibe". The Code makes no provision for vibes, and I give it no weight.

5. A guard 1.07 m high would not, in my judgement, materially harm the view of the sunset, which is some distance away.

Conclusion. 6. For the reasons given above, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.

R. Hollis, Inspector

Grounds

Grounds of appeal

Accepted

Wrong world

The inspector inspected a different world with the same name. There are fourteen "Cozy Cabin"s. It happens.

Accepted

Inspector absent

The inspector was not in the instance at the time of the alleged violation, having crashed. The avatar left behind, standing in a T-pose, has been ruled not to have been present.

Not accepted

"It's a vibe."

The Code contains no provision for vibes.

Not accepted

"Nobody goes in there."

The inspector went in there.

Not accepted

"It works on my machine."

Your machine is not a building.

Not accepted

"The last inspector said it was fine."

The last inspector is not the Inspector.