Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 95-42 - Building & Electric CodesRDINANCE • ?n AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, AMENDING SECTION 8.04.010 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES RELATING TO THE SOUTHERN STANDARD FIRE PREVENTION CODE; AMENDING SECTION 2.32.040 RELATING TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BUILDING OFFICIAL; AMENDING TITLE 15, CHAPTERS 15.04, 15.081 15.12, 15.161 15.201 15.241 15.32 AND 15.38 RELATING TO BUILDING AND ELECTRICAL CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES, PROVIDING FOR THE ADOPTION OF UPDATED VERSIONS OF THE SBCCI SOUTHERN STANDARD CODES AND VARIOUS APPENDICES AND THE 1993 NFiPA NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE REGULATING BUILDINGS, ELECTRICAL, HOUSING, FIRE PREVENTION, GAS, MECHANICAL, PLUMBING, SWIMMING POOLS, EXISTING BUILDINGS, AMUSEMENT DEVICES AND UNSAFE BUILDING ABATEMENT, STATING THE PURPOSE HEREOF; ESTABLISHING A PREREQUISITE FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMITS; PROVIDING FOR A PHASE-IN; ESTABLISHING A TRI - ANNUAL REVIEW PERIOD; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, it is the desire of, The City Council of Georgetown, Texas to adopt, in all respects, the various SBCCI Southern Standard Codes relating to buildings, fire prevention, gas, housing, mechanical, plumbing, swimming pools, unsafe building abatement, amusement devices and the national electrical code and; WHEREAS, The City Council of Georgetown, Texas has found that the present construction codes of the City of Georgetown have become obsolete and inadequate and; WHEREAS, The City Council has determined that the adoption of the Codes is done to facilitate proper inspection activities by Georgetown, Texas relating to construction and to maintenance of buildings within the corporate city limits of Georgetown and the extra -territorial jurisdiction of Georgetown and relating to public safety, health, and general welfare; and WHEREAS, The Electrical Examiners Board and the Building Standards Commission appointed by motion of the City Council has reviewed the effect of those regulations and made recommendations to the City Council regarding certain revisions to the regulations; and WHEREAS, the caption of this ordinance printed in Williamson County Sun, August 16, 1995 in compliance with the City Charter of the City of Georgetown. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT% Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 1 of 10 SECTION 1 The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby declared to be true and correct, and are incorporated by reference herein and made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. The City Council hereby finds that this ordinance implements Housing Policy 1 of the Century Plan- Policy Plan Element, which states: "The City will work with Builders, Developers, and Property owners to provide safe and adequate housing opportunities for all household types", and further finds that the enactment of this ordinance is not inconsistent or in conflict with any other Century Pian Policies, as required by: Section 2.03 of the Administrative Chapter of the Policy Plan, SECTION 2. Building Official, Right of Entry for Inspection A. Section 2.32.040 of Chapter 2.32 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "Whenever necessary to make an inspection to enforce any provisions of the this Code, or whenever the Building Official or Fire Marshall has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in any building or upon any provision any condition or code violation which makes any building or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the Building Official and Fire Marshall may enter such building or premises within the provisions of current Texas State Law for right of Entry upon the premises for the purpose of inspection and examination of violations pursuant to the requirements of this code". B. Section 2.32.040 of Chapter 2.32 of Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas replaces Section 102.1 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code, Section R-195, of the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code as adopted in Appendix C of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code, Section 103.1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Housing Code, the 1994 Southern Unsafe Building Abatement Code, Section 103 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Swimming Pool Code, and Section 103.2.1 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Existing Building Code which are hereby deleted in their entirety. SECTION 3. Building Standards Commission, Appeals from Construction Codes Chapter 2.64 relating to the Building Standards Commission of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown Code of Ordinances replaces Section 105 of Chapter 1, of the 1994 Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code, Section 108 of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Codes, Standard Amusement Device,Standard Building, Gas Code, Mechanical, and Plumbing, and adds Section 109 of Chapter 1, of the 1994 Southern Standard Swimming Pool Code. Construction Codes Ord. No."� Page 2 of 10 SECTION 4. FIRE PREVENTION CODE A. Section 8.04.010 of Chapter 8.04 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "Sec. 8.04.010. Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code, 1994 Edition - Adopted. There is adopted by the Council for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire and explosion, that certain code known as the Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code, published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., being particularly the 1994 edition thereof and the whole thereof, including Appendices B,C,and D of said code, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended of which code not less than one copy has been and now is filed in the office of the City Secretary, the City Attorney, and the same is adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length in this chapter, and from the date on which this chapter takes effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the limits of the City". B. Section 301 of Chapter 3 of the 1994 Standard Fire Prevention Code is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 301, Recognized Standards and Publications. "NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, 1994 section 801.2". C. Section 801.2 of Chapter 8 of the 1994 Standard Fire Prevention Code are hereby amended to read as follows: Sec.801.2, Chapter 8- Maintenance and construction of Exit ways. "When the Standard Codes do not contain requirements on a particular aspect of a means of egress system, NFPA 101 Life Safety Code - 1994 Edition may be used as an accepted engineering practice standard for Fire and Building Code application and regulation of construction. Where there is conflict between the 1994 Standard Fire or Building or NFPA 101 codes, the most restrictive provisions shall apply". D. Section 102.1.1 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Fire Prevention Code is hereby deleted in its entirety. Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 3 of 10 SECTION 5. BUILDING CODE A. Section 15.04.010 (A) of Chapter 15.04 of the Code of Ordinances of the City Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec 15.04.010 (A). Southern Standard Building Code, 1994 Edition -Adopted. "A. The Southern Standard Building Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) including Appendices A,C,D,G, and H is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein." B. Section 15.04.040 of Chapter 15.04 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas and Section 104.7.1 Prescribed Fees, Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code are hereby amended as follows: "A building permit shall not be issued until all fees as set forth by the City Council for the City Of Georgetown, Texas have been paid in full. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in the estimated cost of the building, structure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas systems have been paid." C. Sec, 104.7.4., Chapter of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code is hereby deleted in its entirety. D. Sec. 15.04.040 subparagraphs A, B, C, D, F. are deleted in their entirety. E. Sec. 14.04.040 subparagraph E.2 is hereby amended to read as follows: "E. Plan Checking Fees. 1. All pans for residential buildings no more than two stories high and four living units, no fees. Residential buildings three stories in height and more than four living units, plans check fee shall be one-half of the building permit fee payable at time of issuance of the building permit. 2. Commercial buildings over 3,000 square feet and no more than two stories in height, plans check fee shall be one-half of the building permit fee. All other buildings, including residential structures and in excess of four stories high, commercial buildings three stories and higher and all other buildings are subject to be forwarded to SBCCI for plans review at the discretion of the Building Official. For those plans forwarded to SBCCI for review, the fees at determined by SBCCI at the time of submittal shall be non-refundable and shall Construction Codes Ord. No. %.- Page 4 of 10 be paid to the City by the applicant at the time application is made for a building permit." F. Section 15.04.060 of Chapter 15.04 of the Code of Ordinance of the City of Georgetown, Texas be hereby added and read as follows: "Prior to the issuance of permits all required public improvements necessary to serve the project shall be installed and excepted by the utility providers or governmental entities as deemed appropriate." G. Section 102.2 of Chapter 1, of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety. H. Chapter 15.04, Section 15.04.030 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "Any officer or employee, or member of the Building Standards Commission, charged with the enforcement of the code, acting for the applicable governing authority in the discharge of their duties, shall not thereby render themselves personally liable, and is hereby relieved from all personal liability, for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge of their duties. Any suit brought against any officer or employee or member because of such act performed by him in the enforcement of any provision of this code shall be defended by the City Attorney until the final termination of the proceedings." I. Section 102.6, Reports, of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code shall be deleted in its entirety. J. Section 103.2.1, Right of Entry, of Chapter 1, Administration of the 1994 Southern Standard Building Code shall be deleted. SECTION 6, MECHANICAL CODE A. Section 15.08.010 (A) of Chapter 15.08 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Mechanical Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein." B. Section 104.7.1, Fees, of Chapter 1 of the Standard Mechanical Code 1994 Edition is hereby deleted. Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 5 of 10 C. Section 15.08.020, Amendments to Mechanical Code, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas are hereby amended as follows: "A mechanical permit shall not be issued until all fees as set forth by the City Council for the City of Georgetown, Texas have been paid in full. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in the estimated cost of the building, structure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas systems have been paid." D. Sec. 104.7.4. Schedule of Permit Fees shall be deleted in its entirety. E. Section 102.2 Employee Qualifications of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Mechanical Code is hereby deleted. SECTION 7. GAS CODE A. Section 15.20.010 (A) of Chapter 15.20 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Gas Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) including Appendices A and D is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein". B. Section 104.7.1 Fees, of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Gas Code are hereby amended as follows: "104.7.1 Prescribed fees. A gas permit shall not be issued until all fees as set forth by the City Council for the City of Georgetown, Texas have been paid in full. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in the estimated cost of the building, structure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas systems have been paid". C. Section 104.7.4, Schedule of Permit Fees, of the 1994 Southern Standard Gas Code shall be deleted in its entirety. D. Section 103.2.1 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Gas Code is hereby deleted in its entirety. SECTION 8. PLUMBING CODE A. Section 15.12.010 (A) of Chapter 15.12 of the Code of Ordinances of the City Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 6 of 10 of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Plumbing Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) including Appendices A,B,C,D,E,F,G,I, and J is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein". B. Section 15.12.020 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is amended to read as follows: "A plumbing permit shall not be issued until all fees as set forth by the City Council for the City of Georgetown, Texas have been paid in full. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in the estimated cost of the building, structure, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or gas systems have been paid". C. Section 104.7.1, Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Plumbing Code, Gas Code shall be deleted in its entirety. D. Sec. 15.12.040 (A and B) of the Code of Ordinances shall be delated in its entirety. E. Sec, 104.7.4. Schedule of Permit Fees shall be deleted in its entirety. F. Section 102.2 Employee Qualifications of Chapter 1, Administration of the 1994 Southern Standard Plumbing Code is hereby deleted. G. Section 102.5, Liability, of Chapter 1- Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Plumbing Code is hereby deleted in its entirety. I. Section 103.2.1 of Chapter 1, Administration, of the 1994 Southern Standard Plumbing Code and is hereby deleted in its entirety. SECTION 9. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE A. The 1993 National Electrical Code is hereby adopted by the City Council of the City of Georgetown, Texas and replaces Chapter 15.06, Electrical Code of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas, SECTION 10. HOUSING CODE A. Section 15.24.010 (A) of Chapter 15.24 of the Code of Ordinances of the City Construction Codes Ord. No. r' 49 Page 7of 10 of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Housing Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein". B. Section 102, Enforcement Officer, of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Housing Code is hereby amended as follows: "There is hereby established by the applicable governing body provisions for the enforcement of this code by the Building Official", C. Section 105, Hardships, of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Housing Code is hereby amended as follows: "Where the literal application of the requirements of this code would appear to cause undue hardship on an owner or tenant or when it is claimed that the true intent and meaning of this code or any regulation therein have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the owner of such building or structure, or his duly authorized agent, may appeal the decision of the Building Official to the Building Standards Commission as set for in Chapter 2.64 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown". D. Section 106 and 107 of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Housing Code shall be deleted in its entirety. SECTION 11, SWIMMING POOL CODE A. Section 15.32.010 (A) of Chapter 15.32 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Swimming Pool Code 1994 Edition, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein". B. Section 15.32.020 (A and B) of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A swimming pool permit shall not be issued until all fees as set forth by the City Council for the City of Georgetown, Texas have been paid in full. Nor shall an amendment to a permit be released until the additional fee, if any, due to an increase in the estimated cost of the building, structure, electrical, plumbing, Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 8 of 10 mechanical or gas systems have been paid" C. Section 105.6 Fees, Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Swimming Pool Code is deleted in its entirety. SECTION 12, STANDARD UNSAFE BUILDING ABATEMENT CODE 1995 EDITION A. Section 15.38.010 (A) of Chapter 15.38 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended to read as follows: "A. The Standard Unsafe Abatement Code 1985 Edition, copyright 1994 as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI) is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein". B. Section 105 of Chapter 1 of the 1985 Southern Standard Unsafe Building Abatement Code shall be deleted in its entirety. SECTION 13. EXISTING BUILDING CODE A. Title 15 of Chapter of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown, Texas is hereby amended by adding Chapter 15.25 to read as follows: "A. The Standard Existing Buildings Code 1988 Edition, copyright 1994 and to include the 1991-1994 Revisions, as published by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc. (SBCCI), is adopted by reference with certain amendments contained herein. B. Designated Officials. Within the code adopted in this section, reference is made to the duties of certain officials named therein; it is the intention of the City Council that the designated official of the City who duties corresponding to those of the named official in each respective code shall be deemed to be the responsible official in charge of enforcing the provisions of the respective code." B. Section 105, of Chapter 1 of the 1994 Southern Standard Existing Building Code is hereby amended to read as follows: "Where the literal application of the requirements of this code would appear to cause undue hardship on an owner or tenant or when it is claimed that the true intent and meaning of this code or any regulation therein have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the owner of such building or structure, or Construction Codes Ord. No. Page 9 of 10 his duly authorized agent, may appeal the decision of the Building Official to the Building Standards Commission as set for in Chapter 2.64 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Georgetown". A. The Standard Amusement Device Amusement Code is adopted by reference herein in its entirety. SECTION 15, The City Council has directed the Building Official to prepare a review of the newest updated versions of construction codes three years from the effective date of this ordinance. SECTION 16. All ordinances and resolutions, or parts of ordinances and resolutions, in conflict with this ordinance are hereby repealed, and no longer of any force and effect. SECTION 17 If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. SECTION 18, The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect in (10) ten days on and after publication in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on thee`j�'day of: �-4,t41, 1995. PASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the/2 day of ,r z;41en 1995. ATTEST: THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN: r ✓ �f Jj y f F ✓> T If '"'� r Sandra D. Lee, City Secretary Leb Wood, Mayor PROVED AS TO FORM: Marianne Landers Banks, City Attorney Construction Codes Ord. No. 5 Page 10 of 10