HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2014-51 - 2012 Residential CodeORDINANCE NO.•
CODE" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF THE 2012 INTERNATIONAL RESIDENTIAL CODE
AND CORRESPONDING LOCAL AMENDMENTS1 PROVIDING A
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING CONFLICTING
ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS1 AND ESTABLISHING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, it is the desire of the City Council of Georgetown, Texas to adopt, in all
respects, the "2012 International Residential Code," with the associated residential code
requirements and (appendices, errata, deletions, local amendments, and as amended in the future)
relating to the building standards as set forth herein; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Georgetown, Texas has found that the present
residential codes of the City of Georgetown has become obsolete and inadequate; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of Georgetown, Texas has determined that the adoption of
the 2012 International Residential Code is done to facilitate proper inspection activities by
Georgetown, Texas relating to residential building standards within the corporate city limits of
Georgetown, in extraterritorial jurisdiction of Georgetown, and for residential buildings served by
Georgetown utilities, relating to public safety, health, and general welfare; and
WHEREAS, the Building Standards Commission, which has been appointed by the City Council,
has (1) reviewed the effect of the proposed regulations; (2) held public hearings related to same;
and (3) made recommendations to the City Council for adoption of the same, including
amendments noted herein; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
GEORGETOWN, TEXAS, THAT -
Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in
compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551.
Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby
found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly
made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim
Section 3. Chapter 15.03, "Residential Code," is hereby amended in its entirety as shown on
Exhibit A.
Section 4. All projects that are under construction and all projects with complete
applications for a building permit accepted by the City of Georgetown, Texas prior to the
Effective Date of this shall be allowed to complete construction under the terms of the prior
provisions of Chapter 15.03 and shall not be required to meet the requirements of the 2012
International Residential Code. All permit applications submitted on or after the Effective Date of
this Ordinance shall comply with the terms of Chapter 15.03 as amended by this Ordinance in its
entirety.
Ordinance Nu Page I of 2
Description: Residential Code Adoption
Date Approved: 83 A 6 - a G3 2014
Section 5. 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 6. All ordinances that are in conflict with the provisions of this ordinance be, and
the same are hereby, repealed and all other ordinances of the City not in conflict with the
provisions of this ordinance shall remain in full force and effect.
Section 7. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to
attest. This Ordinance shall become effective on January 1, 2015 and in accordance with the
provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown.
PASSED AND APPROVED on First Reading on the JL�_ day of&& (A S T, 2014.
1 1 -1,(STE
'ASSED AND APPROVED on Second Reading on the a(p day of AU6
OWE
J a Brettle, Secretary
Bridget Chapm6, Cit:o)drney
By:
Dale Ross, Mayor
Ordinance Number: —61 Page 2 of
Description: Residential Code Adoption
Date Approved: A6. Q(p 2014
AMMUM
Chapter 15.03 Residential Code
A. The provisions of the "International Residential Code," 2012 Edition, including Appendixes
A,B,C,D,E,G,H,J,K,M,N and P, with the specific local amendments set forth in this Chapter are
hereby adopted. In this Chapter, the 2012 International Residential Code shall be referred to as
the "Residential Code" and the Residential Code shall establish regulations affecting or relating
to structures, processes, premises and safeguards.
B. A copy of the Residential Code shall be placed at the Georgetown Public Library on file at the
office of the Building Official.
101.1 Title. These regulations shall beknown esthe Residential Code forOne-andTwo-famih/
Dwellings of the City of Georgetown, Texas hereinafter referred to as "this code."
101.2 Scope. The provisions of the International Residential Code for One- and Two-fam'
Dwellings shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replaceme
repair, equipment , use and occupancy, location, removal and demolition of detached jone- a
withaseparate means ofegress and their accessory structures.
Code shall be permitted to be built as one- and two-family dwellings or townhouses. Fire
suppression required by Section 419.5 of the International Building Code when constructed
under the International Residential Code for One- and Two-family Dwellings shall conform to
Section P2904.
11
104.10.1 Flood hazard areas. The building official shall not grant modifications to any provision
related to flood hazard areas as established by Table R301.2(l) without the granting of a
variance to such provisions by the board of appeals.
Refer to Title 15, Chapter 15.44, and entitled Flood Damage Prevention of the City of
Georgetown Code ofOrdinances.
The Residential Code, Section I���Homestead Exemption Permit, ishereby added to read as
105.1.2 Homestead Exemption Permit. A person who is not licensed to perform plumbin
electrical and mechanical work may perform such work within dwelling premises, owned by t
i the person has filed an affidavit with the Building Official stating that the location
person, if
which the work is to be performed is the affiant's homestead, intends to occupy the structu
and can show proof to that effect from the Tax Appraisal District of Williamson County. Befo
beginning any work, the unlicensed person shall obtain, from the Building Official, a homeste
permit to do the work and shall pay the required permit fees. No person who has obtained a
currently holds a homestead exemption permit for a certain location shall be issued
additional homestead exemption permit for a different location unless authorized and at t
discretion of the Building Official. No person who has obtained a homestead permit shall allo
or cause any other person to perform such work under the permit. The Building Official rn
suspend or revoke a homestead permit under which the above stated work has been perform
by anyone other than the person who obtained the permit.
105.2 Work exempt from permit. Permits shall not be required for the following. Exemptions
from permit requirements of this code shall not be deemed to grant authorization for any work
to be done in any manner in violation of the provisions of this code or any other laws or
ordinances of this jurisdiction.
I.Minor repairs tnfences not over Gfeet (183ymm) high. Upto2S%ofthe overall contiguous
length of afence shall constitute minor repair.
2. Retaining walls that are not over 4 feet (1219 mm) in height measured from the bottom of
the footing tothe top ofthe wall, unless supporting asurcharge.
3. Water tanks supported directly on grade and fully enclosed with a cover if the capacity does
not exceed 5,000 gallons (18 927L) and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed
2tol.
4.Painting, papering, 'tiling, carpeting, .cabinets, /counter tops and similar finish work.
�-.-..____'__
5. Prefabricated swimming pools that are less than 24 inches (610 mm) deep.
9
6. Swings and other playground equipment.
7. Window awnings supported by an exterior wall which do not project more than 54 inches
(1372 mm) from the exterior wall and do not require additional support.
Electrical:
I.Listed cord-and~p{uQconnected temporary decorative lighting.
2. Reinstallation of attachment plug receptacles but not the outlets therefor.
3. Replacement of branch circuit overcurrent devices of the required capacity in the same
location.
4. Electrical wiring, devices, appliances, apparatus or equipment operating at less than 25 volts
and not capable ofsupplying more than 5Owatts ofenergy.
5. Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved
portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
l.Portable heating, cooking orclothes drying appliances.
2. Replacement ofany minor part that does not alter approval ofequipment armake such
equipment unsafe.
3. Portable -fuel -cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not
interconnected toepower grid.
Mechanical:
l.Portable heating appliances.
2.Portable ventilation appliances.
3^Portable cooling units.
4. Steam, hot- or chilled -water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by this
code.
5. Replacement of any minor part that does not alter approval of equipment or make such
equipment unsafe.
6.Portable evaporative coolers.
7. Self-contained refrigeration systems containing 10 pounds (4.54 kg) or less of refrigerant or
that are actuated bymotors mf1horsepower (746Vy)orless.
Q. Portable -fuel -cell appliances that are not connected to a fixed piping system and are not
interconnected toapower grid.
The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste or vent pipe; provided, however, that if a
concealed trap, drainpipe water, soil, waste or vent pipe becomes defective and it becom
The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and the removal
and reinstallation of water closets,provided such repairs do not involve or require the
replacement orrearrangement of valves, pipes orfixtures.
The Residential Code, Section IlOincluding subsections, Approval ofOccupancy, ishereby amended to
read as follows:
110.1 Use and Occupancy. No building or structure shall be used or occupied, and no change in
until the building official or duly authorized representative granted approval therefor as
provided herein. The granting of approval for occupancy shall not be construed as an approval
of the jurisdiction shall not be valid.
Exceptions:
1. Approval for Occupancy is not required for work exempt from permits under Section R105.2.
2^Accessory buildings orstructures.
110.3 Approvals for Occupancy issued. After the building official or duly authorizA-9
code or other laws that are enforced by the department of building safety, the building offici
or duly authorized representative shall issue a final approval for occupancy in the Inspectio
10
Services permit and tracking software system which shall contain the following: I
1.The building permit number.
2. The address of the structure.
3.The name and address ofthe owner orbuilder.
4. A description of that portion of the structure for which the approval is issued.
G. AstaUement that the described portion of the structure has been inspected for compliance
with the requirements of this code.
6. The name of the building official or duly authorized representative.
8. If an automatic sprinkler system is provided.
9. Any special stipulations and conditions of the building permit.
110 ' 3.1 Issuance of Occupancy Approval. The owner, builder or authorized representative will
be notified by the Inspection Services Permit Software system that the approval for occupancy
can be obtained from the permit software computer system.
110.4 Temporary occupancy. The building official or duly authorized representative is
authorized to issue a temporary approval for occupancy before the completion of the entire
work covered by the permit, provided that such portion or portions shall be occupied safely. The
building official or duly authorized representative shall set a time period during which the
temporary approval is valid.
M
1105 Revocation. The building official or duly authorized representative shall, in writing,
suspend or revoke an approval for occupancy issued under the provisions of this code wherever
the certificate is issued in error, or on the basis of incorrect information supplied, or where it is
determined that the building or structure or portion thereof is in violation of any ordinance or
regulation orany ofthe provisions ofthis code.
The Residential Code, Section 112 and its subsections, Building Standards Commission, bhereby
amended to read as follows:
made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of this code, there
shall be and is hereby created a board of appeals Building Standards Commission. The
Building Standards Commission shall be appointed by the applicable governing authority
and shall hold office at its pleasure. The City Council and Building Standards Commission
findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the building official. Any
reference made in "this code" to the "Board of Appeals", shall have meaning as the
"Building Standards Commission".
true intent of this code or the rules legally adopted thereunder have been incorrectly
of construction is pro ffe oard snaii nave no aurnorityto waive requirements oftnis
113.4 Violation penalties. Any person who violates a provision of this code or fails to c?mp
with any of the requirements thereof or who erects, constructs, alters or repairs a building
structure in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the buildi
f this code shall be sub'ec
penalties as prescribed by law. Any person violating any provision of this code or chapter
subject to punishment as provided in Section 1.08.010 and entitled General Penalty of t
Georgetown Code of Ordinances.
The Residential Code, Section 314.3, Location, is hereby amended to read as follows:
M
1. In each sleeping room.
2. Outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms.
3. On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements and habitable attics but not
including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels
and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the
upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than
one full story below the upper level.
4. Smoke alarms shall not be installed closer than 30 inches to return orrecirculating, supply air
or mechanical exhaust vents and ducted systems. Adoor that islocated inthat 3Dinch area shall
be considered on opening and the 30 inch measurement shall be taken horizontally in all
directions of the return or recirculating, supply air or mechanical exhaust vents and clucted
systems.
The Residential Code, Section 401.1.2, Engineering requirements for building foundations, is hereby
added to read as follows:
designed and constructed in accordance with engineering practices and within the scope of t
code. Upon completion of the foundation construction or concrete application an enginee
certification shall be required for inspection purposes. The certification shall contain no opinio
or disclaimers and shall provide that the foundation was inspected and meets the engineer
design, live and dead loading, and soil condition per requirements of the 2012 Internation
Residential Building Code." I
Exception: This shall not apply to accessory structures less than 200 square feet and are
considered as portable on skids.
Sec. 15.03.120 Section G2404, Gas meter locations for accessible and acceptable locations, added.
The Residential Code, Section G2404, Gas meter locations for accessible and acceptable locations, is
hereby added to read as follows:
G2404 (301.4) Gas meter locations for accessible and acceptable locations. A gas service meter
location, when required, shall be provided for the building or premises to be served as provided
for in this section. The location of the meter and connections shall be easily accessible for
reading, repair and replacement. The location, space requirements, dimensions and type of
installation shall meet the requirements of the serving utility provider and a minimum of 3 feet
shall be maintained from any operable window in a sleeping room and from any open flame or
ignition source, including electrical panels with disconnecting means."
M
Sec. 15.03.130 Part VII - Electrical, Chapters 34through 43,deleted.
The Residential Code, Part VII - Electrical, Chapters 34 through 43, are hereby deleted.