I also have seen many toilets that were set with putty. Every call that was on a toilet set with putty was for a leak at the flange. Why am I not surprised. When the seasons change you get movement from changes in temp & humidity this makes wood, concrete, ceramic, Ect. expand and contract which = movement. Wax will move with these slight changes putty will not and can cause a leak.
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As far as caulking the base of the toilet my area does not have a code or if they do they do not enforce it. Personally I would never caulk the base. In my area many homes are on crawl spaces and a caulked base will just trap a leak and sooner or later cause a lino stain, rot the floor or ruin a ceiling or all 3. In fact I had 1 customer call whos plumber had installed a new lino floor and toilet, she was calling because the lino was turning black from an incorectly set wax ring but no one knew the leak was there, because of the caulk, until it was to late. If the purpose is to prevent urine odor from a "missed shots" there are enzime cleaners that can be sprayed at and under the base that will eliminate the odor. I can't tell you how many caulked toilets I have pulled that have caused many $$$$$ worth of damage.
Just my $15.00 worth. (inflation has increased the $.02)