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HomeMy WebLinkAbout5B - 2003 Building Code Ordinan MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: REVIEWED BY: AGENDA ITEM: DISCUSSION: CITY COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT June 2, 2003 5B Robert D. Hutchins, Building Official Frank Boyles, City Manager Consider Approval of an Ordinance Adopting the 2003 State Building Code and 2000 International Building Code, Approving Amendments to Prior Lake City Code Section 400, and Adopting a New Fee Schedule. History Chapter 561 of the 1972 Sessions Laws established the Minnesota State Building Code which superseded all municipal building codes and became effective July 1, 1972. All metropolitan area municipalities must adopt the State Building Code which in turn adopted the Uniform Building Code. As new State Building Codes are adopted, Prior Lake is required to incorporate the new provisions into their ordinances. However, the adoption of appendices to the Code are a local option. Current Circumstances At the January 4, 1999 City council meeting, Ordinance 99-01, was passed amending Title 4, Chapter 1, of the Prior Lake City Code. The amendment adopted the 1998 Minnesota State Building Code which includes Chapter 1305 which adopted the 1997 Uniform Building Code. As of March 31, 2003, the 2003 State Building Code has been amended by adopting Chapter 1305 which adopted the 2000 International Building Code. The International Building Code is the amalgamation of three different codes intended to address most of the building types around the world. This is the code the city must now adopt and enforce. The 2003 Minnesota State Building Code is considerably different than the 1998 Minnesota State Building Code which we previously adopted: 1. Format - The format of the Code has been changed considerably by the addition and modification of various chapters. 2. Appendices - A number of appendices have been relocated so they are now part of the code. In doing so, these provisions become mandatory rather than optional. 3. Parapet Walls - For fire suppression purposes, a wall is built along boundary lines of town homes and other multi-family buildings. The code 162e~l@~c2I{l}\VJ?~~~~qx~f&, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (952) 447-4230 / Fax (952) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: REVIEWED BY: has been modified to reduce the construction material requirements for such walls. 4. Sprinkler Systems - Commercial buildings requiring sprinkler systems have been modified. Buildings which are built with sprinkler systems are given much more latitude in size and uses. Buildings constructed without sprinkler systems face more restrictions under the new code. These provisions have now been incorporated into the main body of the code. 5. Fee Schedule - Historically, the new codes were adopted with a fee schedule. This one has none. Issues The appendices we are recommending for adoption are the same as in previous years except for those which have now become part of the code. We are recommending that the City retain the fee schedule which was incorporated in the 1997 code. We believe that this fee schedule reflects the actual costs incurred by the City for delivering this service. As many as 14 separate inspections can be associated with each new structure. The permit issuance, inspection and record- keeping process requires the services of persons in Building Inspection, Planning, Engineering, Finance and often Public Works. Customer Service and complaints associated with building can also involve Police, Fire and Administration. The involvement of these many departments creates costs which are recovered through building fees. In addition, the cities of Chaska, Lakeville, Savage, Shakopee, South St. Paul, Victoria, and Scott County, are adopting the 1997 fee schedule. From the contractor's perspective, this consistency between municipal fees simplifies matters. Conclusion Minnesota Statutes Sections 16B.62 mandates that the City of Prior Lake shall adopt the Minnesota State Building Code. Minnesota Statutes, 16B.62, subdivision 1 states that the City may adopt their own fee schedule, and any appendices it believes appropriate. The City Council has three alternatives: 1. Adopt Ordinance 03-XX Adopting the 2003 State Building Code and 2000 International Building Code, Approving Amendments to the Prior Lake City Code Section 400, and Adopting the new fee schedule. 2. Deny Ordinance 03-XX Approving an Amendment to Section 400 of the Prior Lake City Code. 3. Defer this item and provide staff with specific direction. Motion and second as part of the Consent Agenda to Adopt Ordinance 03-XX Adopting the 2003 State Building Code and 2000 International Building Code, Approving Amendments to the Prior Lake City Code Section 400, and Adopting the new fee schedule. J:\ORDORDOOIBC..DOCFrank Boyles