(a) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a registered interior designer may submit sealed, stamped drawings to building officials for a commercial interior project in any space of less than 5,000 contiguous square feet within a building of any size provided that all of the following requirements are satisfied:

(1) The space may not be intended for use as a school, church, auditorium, or other space intended for the assembly occupancy of people.

(2) Unless the drawings utilize, reference, and incorporate documents prepared by architects, engineers, or other related professionals, the drawings may not include the design or modification of architectural and engineering interior construction relating to building systems, such as building structural support, fire rated assemblies, stairwells, means of egress components, elevators, elevator shafts, plumbing, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fire protection, and mechanical and electrical systems, except for the scope of interior services as defined by the NCIDQ or for the coordination of the aesthetic requirements of fixtures.

(b) Any official of this state or of any city, town, or county charged with the enforcement of laws, ordinances, or regulations relating to the construction or alteration of buildings may accept or approve and issue permits based upon any of the following:

(1) Plans or specifications prepared by any person registered pursuant to this chapter, provided the plans or specifications are consistent with this chapter.

(2) Plans and specifications for the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any building upon any farm for the use of any farmer, of any single family residence of any size, or of any other type building which has a total area of less than 2,500 square feet, provided the building is not a school, church, auditorium, or other building intended for the assembly occupancy of people.

(3) Plans and specifications which such official is not prohibited from accepting pursuant to any other state law on August 1, 2010.