IMO, when an inspector says "all I do is enforce the rules, and to do otherwise would be wrong," they're lying.
I say that because - code issues aside - that's NOT all they do. They're part of the system, and have multiple opportunities to affect things. They're in a better position to influence decisions, to submit proposals, and be up-to-date than anyone out on a jobsite.
This is especially true when the time comes to adopt the 'latest and greatest' codes. Before you even think of taking it to the city council for consideration, you need to ask: "what will this change do to Granny whan all she wants is another place to plug in her teapot?" If the end result is that the only help she can get is an untrained day laborer, have we made things any safer?
Back to the OP ... theres always room for discretion. One cannot simply look at the book and say 'this is the rule.' Rather, one has to apply the rule to each individual situation. In this case, we have to ask "is the wall interrupted?." We can't say 'yes, it is today, but that might change tomorrow' and apply the rule.
