How is electrical building code defined and applied to new constructions?

Question

A new home (completed in early 2020) in San Jose California does not have GFCI outlets in all the bathrooms. I thought this was a requirement (according to https://www.redwoodcity.org/home/showdocument?id=15416). There are also some kitchen outlets that don't seem to follow this code. I'm not sure whether the builder has overlooked this or there is some loophole to the rule (such as when the builder got approval for the plans).
In general, I'd like a better understanding of how building code is defined and enforced. E.g. what level is it defined (municipal/state/federal) and how it is applied to buildings. Ultimately I'd like to know if the builder made a mistake or if I'm uninformed.

StainlessSteelRat · Accepted Answer

New homes are inspected by local authorities to comply with local building requlations.  As Mike says, give them a call.
The National Electrical Code (NEC) are standardized guidelines for electrical construction created by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).  The NEC are guidelines, not laws. The NEC is adopted into law by states and local jurisdictions.
Different states adopt different versions of NEC guidelines as shown by NFPA NEC Enforcement.

The 2017 NEC is the base model code for the 2019 California Electrical Code (CEC) of the California Building Standards Commission (CBSC).  CBSC adopt statewide ammendments to deal with statewide issues with the NEC.
California Building Standards Commission - Information Bulletin 20-01
Local authorities adopt statewise references with local ammendments to deal with local issues.
From San Jose, California - Code of Ordinances Title 24 - Technical Codes

24.01.233 - Electrical code.
"Electrical code" means the California Electric Code or CEC, 2019 edition, based on 2017 National Electric Code promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association, as amended and set forth in the California Building Standards Code,

24.06.100 - Adoption of technical provisions of CEC.

24.06.110 - Portions of CEC which are not approved, adopted or incorporated by reference.

This is a top-down, bottom-up approach.  Standards come from the top, but issues with these standards are found/tweaked at the local level.  Local can only change local.  Local ammendments will drive state ammendments.  Hopefully, incorporated
at some point at the national level.  Hence, revisions of NEC.

The use of all and some in the OP's question, implies there are some GFCI's in the home.  The code does not require all GFCI protected outlets to be GFCI's.  One GFCI can protect multiple downstream outlets.
Test these GFCI outlets and see if other outlets are powered.  Plug a light into a non-GFCI outlet and press Test on GFCI.  If lamp goes out, then it is powered by GFCI.  Press Reset to reset GFCI.
From GFCI Load Wiring - Electrical 101

kamran · Answer

Ever since 1975 use of at least one GFCI outlet and preferably more is mandatory in bathrooms or anywhere where there is the likelihood of moisture being near the outlet by NEC (National Electric Code).
If you have only one GFCI in any bathroom, all other outlets in that bathroom must be downstream to that GFCI and controlled by it.
You can ask your local building department to inspect your home and demand the builder to fix any problems. In the state of California, any home-builder has an implied 10 years warranty for these kinds of issues.

How is electrical building code defined and applied to new constructions?

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